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AN N ALS 






) \ NG II A M TON, 



; THE 



COUNTRY CONNECTED WITH IT. 



M THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENT; 



BY J. B. \VILKINS< >X 



OPUS G RATI M POST ER ITATL 



REPRINTED WITHNOTE& VXD APPENDIX, FROM THE ORIGINAL 
EDITION, PUBLISHED /' 



BINGHAMTON : 

l-l BLISHED V.\ i II E II M I I ATluN, 



F.W. Putnaxa 



€\ l 






H 



INTRODUCTION. 



For some number of years past it had been felt by some indi<- 
viduals of the place to be very desirable that, in some practical 
and easy form, the most important incidents relating to the early 
settlement of the village should be preserved for the supposed 
satisfaction and utility of the rising and future generations. It 
was several times spoken of, aud proposed to some of the earliest 
settlers to make minutes of what they still remembered relative 
to themselves and their compeers after they became identified 
with the settlement. 

In compliance, it is supposed, with such a request, many years 
ago Col. Eose made historical minutes to an important extent ; 
but unfortunately they were afterward lost, or, as it is believed, 
accidentally burnt ; so that nothing remained of them. In relation 
to one important place within the section of country these Annals 
are designed to embrace, to wit ; Elmira, Solomon South wick, 
some few years since, wrote a pamphlet, entitled " Views of 
Elmira/' in which he gives the first settlement of the neighbor- 
hood and the first laying out of that village, with the early stages 
of its progress. 

That which suggested the present enterprise., and which has 
resulted in the production of the following history, was the read- 
ing of the little volume, entitled "* The Chronicles of Coopers- 
town." The rising and already extended importance of the vil- 
lage of Binghamton and the country connected with it ; the very 
insulated condition of the country and consequently of the early 
settlers ; and also the romantic interest connected with the valley 
of these rivers, in consequence of its having been, for many gen- 



iy Introduction. 

orations, the residence and passage-way of many important tribes 
of Indians, rendered it quite certain that its history would not be 
without interest even to the present generation. Again, it appear- 
ed important that it should be written while some, at least, of the 
oldest settlers remained upon the stage, that testimony might be 
had immediately from them — from their own knowledge, and 
not from the uncertain sources of tradition. 

It appeared, also, in prosecuting the work, to be a natural 
course to take up the country with which Binghamton is now, 
or has been, more or less intimately connected ; that events migbt 
appear in the order of their time, and according to their connec- 
tion ; and because, also, the two mutually render each other the 
more interesting. In doing this, we have embraced several other 
villages whose early settlement and other interesting items in 
their history are given ; two especially of which fall but little 
short of oar own village in point of population and other consider- 
ations of importance. 

The two great sources of information are, philosophy and his- 
tory. And while the former addresses itself almost entirely to 
the understanding, the latter does to all the faculties and suscep- 
tibilities of the soul ; to the understanding, the imagination, to 
the sympathies and to the heart. It is therefore, of the two, the 
more varied and extensive source. But there are two properties 
in history which, when they unite, give it its highest interest. 
These are, antiquity and a near relation of the subjects to the 
reader. The antiquity of a history is relative to itself. The an- 
tiquity of the world is its creation and early peopling ; the an- 
tiquity of Europe- is the settlement of Greece by Cadmus and 
others ; because it was then it first became known to civilised 
people. And the antiquity of our own section of country is its 
first settlement, and so much of its Indian history as we can attain. 
And although the settlement took place but little over fifty years 
ago, it notwithstanding has nearly all the charm, or at least much 
of it, as it would have if it had taken place five hunlred years 
ago ; because the mind of the younger portion of the present 
generation especially passes back to a period long before its recol- 
lection ; and comparing the present state of the country, with 
what it was in a gtate of nature, they spontaneously feel the pow- 



Jul rot furl ion, Y 

ev of the charm of which we speak. It is true, also, that the old- 
er a country becomes, the more interesting the history of its early 
settlement becomes, and the more venerable the persons are who 
braved the hardships connected with it. 

The other interesting ingredient in history, to wit : a near rela- 
tion of its subjects to the reader, applies to the present history. 
Those who live within the section of country which it contem- 
plates, will find themselves, or what is in effect nearly the same 
thing, they will find their fathers or ancestors, their relation or 
acquaintance identified in it. It is the land of their nativity or 
adoption ; and the imagination and the affections throw a charm 
over it, which, with very many, will never be felt, to the same 
degree, for any other. 

How highly important it is, that these partialities be cultivated ; 
because it is upon the love of family arid country, that ail the 
social and virtuous affections are based. They are the earliest 
with children ; and extended and refined, they form the philan- 
thropist and the christian. And it is on these accounts, undoubt- 
edly, that God has made them universal, strong and permanent 
laws of our nature. 

In the present History, the village of Binghamton is made the 
.centre of interest ; and other places are treated of, in a great 
measure, according to their relation to it. Equal fidelity is ob- 
served, it is hoped, towards all ; but one is made the centre, that 
unity of design and prosecution might appear in the course of 
of the work ; and also, that a full history, up to the present date, 
might be given of one village destined to great importance be- 
yond its present, in the annals of future time. 

Though small, it will undoubtedly be a grateful work to poster- 
ity ; and the older the village and the country of which it treats 
becomes, the more will its pages be valued. 



THE ANNALS OF BIMAMTON. 



CHAPTER. I. 



The Village of Binghamton is pleasantly and advan- 
tageously situated at the junction of the Susquehanna 
and Chenango Rivers. As these rivers have Indian 
names, it may be proper to give their Indian ety- 
mology. The former signifies long and crooked river, 
and the latter pleasant river. The site upon which it 
stands is a part of an extensive area or plain, which 
lies upon the banks of the two rivers, and be- 
tween their approximation ; irregular in its bound- 
aries and somewhat varied as to its surface. To mea- 
sure the plain by the boundary of one's vision, from a 
moderate elevation, would give it about fifteen or twenty 
square miles. The mountains which lie upon the north, 
divided, however, by the Chenango river, and those up- 
on the south, have a greater proximity to the village 
than those which lie towards the other two points of 
the compass. These mountains do not rise high enough 
to become sublime ; but their easy slope, their rich and 
distinctive foliage, and their embossed surface, during 
the season of foliage, upon which the eye may rest with 
pleasure, give them a truly beautiful and picturesque 



ft An nit is of Bingham to?i, 

appearance. Those towards the east and west, as well 
as those directly north, recede much farther from the 
eye, rearing numerous and rounded heads, lying lower 
upon the horizon the greater their distance, and giving 
intelligence, like way-marks, of the course of the two 
rivers. 

The surface is not an entire plain, but unequal, suf- 
ficently to give variety to the view and healthfulness to 
the atmosphere, Rich and expansive meadows lie upon 
the banks of the Chenango, with extensive, cultivated 
fields ; their rich and carpeted surface, in the spring and 
summer season, acids another beauty to the general 
scenery. Likewise upon the batiks of the Susquehanna, 
both above and below the village, are extensive grazing 
and arable fields. The soil of this great plat is truly 
rich and fertile, generally under high cultivation ; and 
the great quantities of plaster now brought into the 
place for grinding and sale, will render it feasible as well 
as place the motive before them, for farmers and proprie- 
tors to render their lands as productive as even the cu- 
pidity of men could wish. 

The soil here as well as the earth to a great depth is 
evidently alluvial; that is, formed since the flood. The 
soil is somewhat loamy, but the earth beneath, to the 
distance of thirty or forty feet, is made up of sand 
and gravel, pebbles highly polished, alternating in stra- 
tas, and sometimes mixed ; which have been deposited 
through the agency of some great waters flowing down 
the channels of these rivers, A probable conjecture, and 
one that is gaining ground among geologists, is, that the 
waters after the hood, in passing o if from the continents 
to the oceau, formed the channels of the most of the 
rivers now extant ; and in their mighty action and flow, 
they would naturally carry down with them toward the 
ocean and deposit on their way immense quantities of 
sand and fragmentary rocks, ten thousand times divid- 
ed, which, by attrition, would finally become polished 
and smooth/ In digging wells in the village and its 
vicinity, a very considerable depth has to be attained be- 



Annals of Blnghamton. 9 

fore water is found ; a very natural consequence, suppos- 
ing the earth, to this depth, has been brought from a 
distance and deposited. « 

Another opinion, entertained by some writers on 
geology, is, that the chain of great lakes at the north is 
the bottom of a former great and inland sea; that 
eventually this sea burst its boundaries and formed the 
St. Lawrence, the Delaware, the Susquehanna, and the 
Allegany rivers. If such a sea once existed, would not 
traces of its shores somewhere still be visible ? 

The Chenango river, if it is proper here to speak of 
the two rivers at large, is about eighty or ninety miles in 
length, and has its rise in Madison county. It has a uni- 
form descent of live or six feet to the mile, without any 
rapids, and flows through a beautiful and fertile country 
in nearly a direct course from north to south. The 
mountains which lie upon its course no where 
crowd its shores, so that the roads upon its 
banks are no where interrupted by them. Its waters 
move down undisturbed by rapids, or huge rocks, 
or sudden curves, increasing the depth of its chan- 
nel until they are merged with the waters of the Sus- 
quehanna, In the latter part of its course, the banks 
are from fifteen to twenty-live feet high, sufficient to 
contain its annual and Hooded tide with but little over- 
flowing. It receives but one tributary stream of note, 
which is the Onondaga, coining in at the Forks. 

The Susquehanna is ranked among the largest rivers 
in the United States. As its name imports, it is long 
and crooked, having its rise in Otsego Lake and mean- 
dering constantly, until it empties its waters into the 
Chesapeake Bay. The country, almost in its entire 
course through which it passes, is so broken and moun- 
tainous, and the mountains so abrupt and irregular, that 
the river is kept every few miles turning its course. 
Though not so convenient, for navigable purposes, its 
serpentine course adds greatly to its beauty and that of 
the country lying upon its banks. 

After leavina* the Lake from which it takes its first 



10 Anndlt of Binghamton. 

waters, it runs though meandering, in nearly a souther- 
ly direction for more than twenty miles. It then takes 
a south-westerly direction for twenty or twenty-five 
miles more. Here it receives the Unadilla from the 
north, bearing more southerly then to the curve of the 
Great Bend, a distance, measuring in a straight line, of 
twenty-five miles. After making the Great Bend it runs 
north-west to within five miles of Binghamton. Then 
nearly due west to Owego. From this place to Eush- 
ville directly south-west. Then bearing nearer south to 
Tioga Point, From the Point it runs due south for 
eight or ten miles, then bearing south-east to Towanda, 
or the month of Towanda Creek. Its general course 
then, though serpentine, is directly south-east to Pitts- 
ton ; here it changes its direction and runs as duly 
south-west through the valley of Wyoming, keeping this 
direction to Sun bury, a distance from the Lackawanna 
Gap of seventy miles ; then nearly south to Harrisburg 
it flows m a south-east direction, without so much as 
curving, to the Chesapeake Bay, a distance further of 
seventy or eighty miles. It receives its West Branch at 
Sunbury, and the Juuietta empties its waters fifteen miles 
above Harrisburg. 

There are small rapids or falls about two miles above 
Wilkesbarre. There are falls also at Berwick of five or 
six feet, crossing the stream nearly at rigjht angles. The 
falls at Cahnawaga, fourteen miles below Harrisburg, 
should rather be called rapids, as they continue for 
about a mile, agitating the water greatly, and running 
with great velocity over rocks and shelving stratas. 
Raftmen enter these rapids at the lower point of an is- 
land called Cahnawaga Island, passing a strait not more 
than seventy feet wide. The water, throughout these 
rapids, roars like the agitated sea. The rafcmen, however 
familiar with them, always enter these rapids with emo- 
tion, if not with fear and apprehension. A smooth nav- 
igation now succeeds for about fourteen miles, then 
shoals ind eddies abound nearly to the mouth of the 
river. 



Annals of Bingham ion. 11 

The Village of Binghamton is quite insulated ; being- 
remote from any other large village. It is one hundred 
and fifty miles south- west of Albany, ninety miles south 
cf Utica, forty miles south-west of Norwich, twenty-two 
miles east of Owego, and seven miles from the Pennsyl- 
vania line. The great roads that lead to it, are the New- 
burg and Milford road from the east, the Elmira and 
Owego from the west, the Montrose from the south, and 
the Utica road from the north. These roads, upon 
which there are lines of daily stages, lie upon both sides 
of the rivers; although the north side of the Susque- 
hanna and the east side of the Chenango are chiefly 
travelled. But the most important medium of access to 
the place, especially so far as transportation is concern- 
ed, is the Chenango Canal, which communicates with 
the great western canal* at Utica and terminates at 
Bingham ton. This canal was begun in 1834, and finished 
in 1837. 

The village of Binghamton is the shire town of 
Broome county, which was set off from Tioga county in 
1806, and called Broome, after John Broome, a worthy 
merchant of the city of New York, and at that time 
Lieutenant Governor of the State. 

The village for a series of years was known only by 
the name of Chenango Point, and received its present 
name from the name of William Bingham, a gentleman 
of large estate, formerly residing in ^Philadelphia, He 
was proprietor of a large patent of land lying on both 
sides of the_ Susquehanna, and was a munificent bene- 
factor of this place, in its infant village state. Owning 
the land upon which it stands, he authorized his agent 
to dispose of the lots, after they were laid out, at such 
reasonable prices, and upon such easy terms, as would 
strongly induce emigrants to settle here. When it was 
determined that the village should be the county seat, 
he conveyed to the county, gratuitously, a spacious lot 
for the Court House; also, a lot for a public school. f 

* Now known as the Erie Canal. 

f The present Washington-st. school house lot. 



'1 'i A n n (b< of B ingh an i (o n . 

Although this distinguished patron might have been 
disposed — as unquestionably he was from his own liber- 
al views, and also a regard to his own interest as pro- 
prietor of the land — to do much for the place, still it is 
doubtful whether he would have done the half he actual- 
ly did, bad not General Whitney, or some other man of 
his liberal and extensive views, been his agent, To Gen. 
Whitney's sound policy, liberal views and foresight, 
therefore, is to be attributed, chiefly, the rapid growth 
and prosperity of the village, as well as a large share of 
the wealth of many of its inhabitants. 

As Mr. Bingham is so intimately connected with the 
existence and progress of this place, having owned the 
soil, and been its enlightened and liberal benefactor, it 
may be proper to give a glance at the outlines of his 
history and character : He was a native of England, and 
came to this country when a young man. It is believed 
he was lioerally educated in his own country, and 
studied the law. This is the impression of his agent, 
Gen. Whitney. Upon his arrival in America he went into 
the mercantile business in Philadelphia. Y\ T hat his wealth 
was at this time is not known. It is believed, however, 
that he acquired his immense fortune entirely through 
the force of his own talents and application to business. 
For mercantile business and speculation upon a large 
scale he became pre-eminently qualified. lie possessed 
the soundest judgment and most capacious mind. And as 
he rose in business his knowledge became extensive with 
the great mercantile transactions of Europe and Ameri- 
ca, and the state of their markets. He made it a point 
to keep pace with them all, that he might avail himself 
of all honorable advantages in the speculation of land or 
foreign trade. The latter was carried on entirely 
through the medium of his ships, which w T ere sent to 
most of the great marts of the world. He was the mer- 
chant and banker in his domestic relations as well as in 
his habits. He married the daughter of Thomas M. 
AVilling, of Philadelphia, who was, it will be remember- 
ed, the first President of the United States Bank. His 



Annals of Bingltamton. K> 

two daughters married, the one Alexander, the other 
Henry Baring, of London, the distinguished hankers of 
that city. His partner in Baltimore was Robert Gil- 
more; in Boston, John Richards. He was also mer- 
chantiy connected with several houses in Europe. He 
was a member of Congress for some years while it was 
sitting in Philadelphia. He died in the city of London 
some time in the year 1804. 

The first survey of the village was made in the year 
1800, under the direction of Mr. Bingham, at which 
time the streets were regularly laid out at right angles. 
In 1808, a re-survey was made by Roswell Marshall ; and 
in 1835, a full and complete survey was made by Wil- 
liam Wentz, of this place. A map was made from this 
survey by F. B. Tower, in 183G. According to this last 
survey, the village has an extent of about two miles, 
measured east and west, and of one mile and a half 
measured north and south. On the west side of the 
Chenango, the streets as they are laid out, run nearly 
east and west and north and south. Upon the east side 
of the river, where by far most of the village lies, the 
course of the streets, being determined by the course of 
the two rivers, besides an important bend in the Susque- 
hanna, have more short streets, and more that meet and 
cross at angles somewhat oblique. This defect, if such 
it should be called, does not, however, mar the beauty 
of the place generally, or of the streets individually. 

On this eastern side of the Chenango, there are thir- 
teen streets running nearly east and west, and ten or 
eleven running, though not so uniformity, north and 
south. There are in all forty-six streets. Court and 
Main-streets are full five rods wide; the other streets 
are uniformly four rods in width, and the distance be- 
tween from four to ten chains. 

Only about one-third of the full limits of the village 
is, at present, built up. The rest lies in cultivated lots; 
Almost all the dwellings have gardens attached to them, 
aud many of these gardens, belonging to the dwellings of 
the more wealthy, are ample, and richly ornamented 



3.4 Annals of Binghamton* 

and laid out in good taste ; and, considering the new- 
ness of our country, and especially of the place, with a 
profuse variety of flowers and shrubbery. 

It is difficult to make any general and appropriate re- 
marks with regard to the buildings, farther than to say, 
they are neat, convenient, and appear well from the 
streets. There are but few poor houses, remarkably few 
for the size of the place. Again, it should be remarked, 
there are but few large and splendid private dwellings, 
or edifices of any kind. A medium appears to have 
been studied, and much convenience rather than much 
ornament. Still, it is evident, ornament lias not been 
neglected. As the buildings are nearly all new, or re- 
cently so, the proprietors have had the opportunity of 
gratifying and exhibiting their taste and skill in the 
more modern style of architecture, as well as giving an 
opportunity for the exercise of those qualities in their 
workmen, so far as the convenience necessary to be stud- 
ied and their own resources did not limit them. But 
should it not be remembered, that a manifest and hap- 
py adaptation to convenience is one of the properties of 
beauty ? 

The Court House is situated on Court-street, on an 
eminence which gives it a commanding aspect from 
every part of the village.* There are six church edifices 
in the place. An Episcopal Church edifice in Wash- 
ington-street, a Methodist Chapel in Henry-street, a 
Presbyterian Church edifice, a Congregational and Bap- 
tist in Chenango-street, and a Catholic Cathedral on the 
west side of the river, in Leroy-street. A large and 
elegant brick building for the Broome County Bank,f 
situated on the corner of Court and Chenango-streets, 
and nearly opposite the Court House. Two large and 
well-sustained public houses. The building that has 
been put up since the fire, intended to succeed the 

* The old Court House stood close to Court-st., and nearly in 
front of where the present building is located. 

f This building was torn down in the spring of 1871 to give place 
to the " Phelps' Bank Building," an elegant granite edifice. 



Annals of Bingham ion. 15 

Broome County House, is of brick, and n monument 
truly of enterprise and taste, if not of magnificence. 
Since its completion it has taken the name of the Phenix 
Hotel* Two other public houses, though not so large, 
yet very respectable. Two others, in the suburbs of the 
village. Four ample piles of buildings for stores and 
various offices. Two printing offices, a paper issuing 
from each. The stores of the place, it may be remarked 
in general, are well sustained, there being a wide extent 
of country besides the village, depending on their mer- 
chandize. There are, in all, thirty stores. 

One foundry for castings, four saw-mills in the vicini- 
ty of the village, two flouring mills, one extensive plas- 
ter-mill and one other, now building, three large storage 
houses for the accommodation of the canal, one plow 
factory, one turning mill propelled by steam, carriage 
factories, though limited in the extent of their business 
compared to what they should be, and mechanics of va- 
rious crafts. 

There are two female seminaries, and one large school 
for boys, in which the classical and common schools are 
united, under two preceptors. 

After giving this outline of the village, reserving a 
further detail to a later part of the work, we will give 
the boundaries of the county, together with a bare enu- 
meration of the townships it contains, and close the 
present chapter. 

Broome county is bounded on the north by Cortland 
and Chenango counties, on the east by Delaware county, 
on the south by the Pennsylvania line, and on the west 
by the county of Tioga. To trace the boundaries in 
another manner and a little more particularly, and be- 
ginning at the south-east corner, it is bounded by the 
Delaware river in its greatest western extremity and 
curve, for six or eight miles; then by a line running 
due north ten or twelve miles ; then by a line running 
due west about the same distance, separating it from 

* Now railed Exchange Hotel. 



16 An rials of Binghamion. 

Chenango county ; then due north five miles ; then due 
west ten or twelve miles to just beyond, westward, the 
Chenango river ; then north north-west fourteen or 
fifteen miles; then due west again to the western bound- 
ary ; then by an irregular line running nearly south to 
the Pennsylvania line or southern boundary, a distance 
of twenty-eight or thirty miles, and separating^ it from 
Tioga county ; then east along the Pennsylvania line to 
the south-eastern extremity," a distance of thirty-six 
miles. 

The county contains eleven townships, viz: Sanford, 
Windsor, Colesville, Chenango, Lisle, Union, Vestal, 
Conklin, Barker, Triangle and Nanticoke. 



CHAPTER II. 

Neither the Village nor the County of its locality 
claims anv higher antiquity of history than the period 
of the Revolutionary War. Prior to this, it appears to 
have been known to our white population only on maps 
and charts, as forming constituent parts of New- York 
and Pennsylvania States. The foot of the white man is 
not known to have trodden over these vallies andnioun- 
tains, except probably as Indian prisoners, until General 
Sullivan, with his ariny, marched into the State, on his 
expedition against the Indians. 

It would be very gratifying to our natural love of 
what is ancient and remote, if we could trace the history 
of our particular section, as well as of the country gen- • 
erally, though we should do this by \A\q uncertain ves- 
tiges of Indian tradition, to a more remote period of an- 
tiquity. The mind naturally inquires, what was the ap- 
pearance of these mountains and plains and rivers in the: 
time of the Crusades ? Have they undergone any ma- 



Annals of Bingliamton. 17 

terial change, except in the wax and wane of their forest 
trees and herbage, since the dark ages of Europe ? What 
race of people were their tenants when Alfred the Great 
gave laws to his rustic subjects ? Although it is at pres- 
ent beyond human knowledge to solve these questions, 
still the reader may indulge his imagination and say, 
without conjecture, that at these periods, and even long 
before, the sun, when he rose unbeclouded, burnished 
these mountain tops, and let down his rays upon these 
vallies. Here shadows, whether of the mountain or of 
the lofty pine, turned from west to east in precise obedi- 
ence to the sun's own progress and elevation. Here too 
was experienced by the beasts of the forest, and, more 
than probably, by man, either savage or civilized, the 
vicissitudes of the seasons : the blasts of winter, the bud- 
ding of spring, the alternate zephyrs and sultry stillness 
of summer, and the reddening of the leaves of autumn. 

Upon the site of Bingham ton a brigade of American 
troops under the command of General James Clinton, 
the father of the celebrated Dewitt Clinton, encamped 
for one or two nights, on their way to join another large 
division of the American army, destined against the In- 
dians of this State, under the command of Gen. Sullivan. 

It cannot but be gratifying to those whom Providence 
has placed here as residents, and who have consequently 
located here their partialities and their strongest patri- 
otic feelings, that the place is connected, even in this in- 
cidental manner, with the revolutionary war; that the 
soldiers of that war once trod over this place ; that upon 
its sod rested their arms and their wearied bodies ; that 
here the officers concerted measures, which, in their 
achievement, have helped to till out the history of that 
great event. There is a sufficient connection between 
this expedition and the country under contemplation, to 
justify briefly its history ; especially because it v/as at 
that time the country became first known to the whites. 

It should be understood, therefore, that the Indians 
of this State, being more numerous than of any other of 
the states, were capable of forming, and did actually 



18 Annals of Bioighamlon. 

form, a powerful ally to our already powerful enemy. In 
the commencement of hostilities between the mother 
country and the colonies, the Six Nations, as they were 
commonly called, whose limits were chiefly within this 
State, had solemnly promised to the colonies neutrality. 
This pledge was given by their chiefs and members gen- 
erally, at a great council held at the German Flats, and 
called for this specific purpose. Probably the Indians 
would have kept their promise inviolate, had not British 
vassals, in the form of commissioners, taken extraordi- 
nary pains to induce them to take up arms against us. 
Pursuant to this, they invited a council to beheld at Os- 
wego, where they informed the chiefs that the white 
people of the colonies had risen up against their good 
king and were about to rob him of a great part of his 
possessions; and that, therefore, they wished the assist- 
ance of themselves and their warriors in subduing them. 
They promised,' moreover, ample reward for their ser- 
vices. The chiefs then informed the commissioners, of 
the treaty and promise of neutrality they had only a 
year before made with the colonies, and of their disposi- 
tion to adhere to it. The commissioners then addressed 
their cupidity and their passion for liquor, telling them 
how plenty rum should be, and made a display of their 
gifts. These appeals, added to their natural enmity of 
the whites, succeeded in bringing them into compliance. 
They signed a treaty, in which they promised to take up 
arms against the rebels until they should be subdued. 

These Indians of the Six Nations, with the exception 
of the Oneidas, now thirst, with a keener appetite than 
ever, for the blood of the white man ; they are impatient 
to commence hostilities; they muster their forces and 
urge their way to the nearest and most exposed white 
settlement. Their attacks upon Cautega, Cherry Valley, 
upon several places on the Hudson river, and still more 
notedly, upon Minisink, of Orange county, and Wyom- 
ing, of Pennsylvania, are well remembered. 

Congress found it necessary to send a strong armed 
forca ill to the heart of their country, and, by retorting 



Annals of Bingliamton, 1.9 

their own mode of warfare, as far as practicable, to ex- 
terminate them. They therefore appointed an army of 
between four and five thousand men, with Gen. Sullivan 
in chief command, with orders to march through the 
wilderness part of Pennsylvania, into those parts of the 
state of New York, inhabited by these hostile tribes. 
This army consisted principally of three lines, or divis- 
ions. The New Jersey line, commanded by Gen. Max- 
well ; the New England line, commanded by Gen. Hand ; 
and the New York line, commanded by Gen. Clinton. 
The former two lines marched from Elizabethtown, of 
New Jersey, by the way of Easton, thence to Wyoming, 
and then up the Susquehanna to Tioga Point. 

It is interestingly stated in the history of Wyoming, 
that Gen. Sullivan with his army departed from Wyom- 
ing on the 31st of July, and moved up the river, on the 
east side. The baggage of the army occupied 120 boats 
and 2000 horses; the former were arranged in regular 
order upon the river, and were propelled against the 
stream by soldiers with setting-poles, having a sufficient 
guard of troops to accompany them. The horses which 
carried the provisions for the daily subsistence of the 
troops, passed along the narrow Indian path in single 
file, and formed a line extending about six miles. The 
whole scene formed a military display at once beautiful 
and imposing; and calculated to make a formidable im- 
pression upon the minds of those parties of savages 
which lurked upon the mountains, from which all these 
movements might be visible. 

The latter division marched from Schenectady, up the 
Mohawk to Eort Plain. From this place they struck to 
the outlet of Otsego Lake. Through this part of their 
march they were obliged to cut their entire way. Traces 
of this army road, it is said, are still to be seen. Here 
Clinton ordered a dam to be thrown across the outlet ; 
and thus by raising the water of the lake he was en- 
abled, when the dam was broken away, to transport 
down the river in the flood, his ordnance, stores and 
troops. Delayed by the time taken in cutting the road 



2(7- Annals of Bingliannton. 

we have just mentioned, and constructing the dam, he 
could not arrive at Tioga, where he was to join Sullivan, 
go soon as was expected. 

General Sullivan, upon arriving at Tioga Point, found 
the Indians had collected there in considerable numbers, 
with whom also he had some inconsiderable skirmishes. 
It will not be thought improper here to introduce an 
anecdote of a veteran soldier of this campaign. He is 
an aged man, now living in Ridgebury, Pa., a little off 
from the valley of the Chemung, but within our historic 
range. He lives to tell the story of his warlike deeds, 
Avhieh were many indeed, and brave. He enlisted into 
his country's service when only about seventeen years of 
age, in the commencement of the war, and served brave- 
ly through it. While the army was passing up the river 
from Wyoming, a little above Towanda, when it was 
nearly or quite dusk, Stiles, for tins is his name, with 
three other men, Andre w Burnet, of Whippany, New 
Jersey, one Murphy and one Butler were together, de- 
tached somewhat from the main army. They heard a 
noise upon their left hand, which they were about to let 
pass as the hooting of owls. But Murphy stopped his 
comrades, and said, in alow tone, these are not the noises 
of owls; there are Indians near us. Upon this he pro- 
posed that his three companions remain where they were, 
but concealed, while he should go back some distance 
and rise the hill in a direction towards the hootingsthey 
had heard. The device succeeded ; for the little noise 
made by him in rising the hill, the Indians, who proved 
to be three in number hearing and not being able to dis- 
cern any object, their fears were the greater; they ran 
precipitately down almosi upon the three men that lay 
concealed. These singled each his Indian, fired, and 
killed the three. 

There is also living in the neighborhood of this village, 
Binghamton, on the opposite side of the Susquehanna, 
and about five miles below, near Willow Point, a Mr. 
William Weston, an aged man, whose name and deeds of 
revolutionary valor deserve a place on record. He was 



Annul* of Binghamton. 21 

in this expedition against the Indians. He says the 
army marched up from Wyoming on the east side of the 
river, and at, or near, Towanda they crossed over to the 
west side ; and that in crossing here, and also in crossing 
the mouth of the Chemung, opposite Tioga Point, they 
were obliged to ford the rivers ; and especially at the lat- 
ter place the water was nearly up to their arm-pits. Each 
soldier was ordered to take and keep hold of his file- 
leaders shoulder, that the current might not break their 
order. 

Mr. Weston came from England to this country when 
about fourteen years old, on board a man-of-war, a ship 
of the line, sent to guard the port of Boston immediate- 
ly alter the tea, in that harbor, was thrown overboard. 
But being young, he was suffered to leave the vessel at 
the solicitation of an uncle of his, who was then living 
in Boston. At the commencement of hostilities he 
joined the American army, and served as a tifer for one 
ur two years. After this he entered the ranks with gun 
and bayonet, and served throughout the war. He was 
in most of the important battles; in the battle of Long 
Island, of Monmouth, of Brandy wine, and at York 
Town. 

Although now very aged, rising eighty years, Mr. Wes- 
ton retains, to a remarkable degree, his health and 
strength of constitution, and also his mental faculties. 
He lives retired back in the woods which bound the 
river plain, and seems contented, so far as great sacrifices 
-contribute to this happy state of mind, in the reflection 
that he has served his country in arms, while in her 
great and successful struggle for liberty ; though he re- 
ceives not either its wealth or its honors. 

The name of one more patriot highly deserves a place 
in these Annals, and in this part of them. Let his mem- 
ory be cherished and blessed by the living, for he is late- 
ly in his grave ! Mr. John Rush, who died the past 
autumn, and who dwelt retiredly also in the forest neigh- 
borhood of his brother soldier, Mr. Weston, was also in 
Sullivan's expedition. He was a relative of the distin- 



22 Annuls of Binghamion. 

guished Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia. He was a man, in 
his day, evidently of more than ordinary strength of un- 
derstanding. His high and well-turned forehead he- 
tokened the same, as well as a man of great benevolence. 
He was known to several in the village ; and by those 
who estimate character according to worth, he was highly 
esteemed, and even venerated. He, with his fellow-in- 
arms, Mr. Weston, were in the detachment of men that 
were sent from Tioga to meet Gen. Clinton, on his way 
down. He was a native of New Jersey, and belonged 
to that line. Serving throughout the war, it was his 
fortune to be in all the important battles of the revolu- 
tion. During a considerable part of the war he was one 
of General Washington's body-guard. A higher com- 
pliment could not have been paid to his fidelity, even by 
Washington himself. 

He was set as one of the guard over Maj. Andre, soon 
after his capture. Having received strict orders not to suffer 
any thing to be moved or meddled with in the prisoner's 
apartment, he forbid on one occasion Maj. Andre him- 
self from taking some crackers from a cask that stood 
in that part of the barrack. When forbidden by Mr. 
Rush, he said, " Do you intend to starve me too~?" Mr. 
Rush replied, " if hungry, you must make it known to the 
officer of the guard.'" 

He was one appointed to escort Lord Cornwallis, after 
his memorable surrender, to the American camp. The 
escort found him in a cave, and writing. It was an arti- 
ficial cave which the British commander had excavated 
during the protracted engagement, to screen himself 
from the bombs of the enemy.* 

Upon arriving at Tioga Point, Gen. Sullivan conceived 
it important to send a detachment immediately to Gen- 
eral Clinton, to inform him where the main army was, 
and where it. would wait his union. He therefore sent a 

* Mr. Rush left a large number of descendants, many of whom 
still reside in the county. John Rush, a soldier of the war of 
1812, who died in this city last Summer, (1871), was a son of the 
Mr. Rush, mentioned in the text. 



Annals of Binghamton, %n 

sergeant and eight men to the outlet of Otsego Lake, 
where he supposed Clinton by this time was. These 
men kept up tne Susquehanna to the mouth of the Che- 
nango river, then up that river to the Forks. They then 
struck nearly an eastern course to the outlet. Job Stiles, 
just spoken of, was one of the number. He says they 
were about, or nearly, two weeks in performing this 
journey ; that in consequence of a continued and drench- 
ing rain, which continued nearly all this time, their pro- 
visions were all spoiled, which obliged them ;o throw 
them away, and depend upon the roots and berries of the 
forest, and what game they might chance to meet with. 
These all proved but scanty sources. They came near 
to famishing. One of their number they were obliged to 
leave near the Forks, in consequence of his sickness and 
exhaustion. They built him a little cabin and a tire, 
and, painful as it was, they were obliged to leave him to 
his fate. 

The letters for Clinton, which were two, they kept roll- 
ed in two handkerchiefs during the saturating rain, and 
under their arm-pits. One was carried by the sergeant 
and the other by Stiles. When they arrived at Clinton's 
camp, and even for days before, they were so enfeebled 
they_ could scarcely travel. When the generous and 
provident commander learned how long they had been 
without food, he ordered them into a tent near his own, 
without saying a word about provision. Shortly a little 
Soaked biscuit, and but a little too, was sent them. They 
were kept upon a limited quantity of this and a little 
soup for some days, ere they were allowed to eat to their 
satisfaction. They came down the river on board the 
loats to this place, and then having landed they hurried 
;o Tioga, their best way. 

In consequence of these messengers not returning so 
toon by many clays as was expected, Sullivan could hear 
lothing from Cinton; and becoming uneasy under the 
lelay occasioned by the non-arrival of the other divis- 
on, he detached between three and four hundred men 
o meet it. This detachment came up the river on ih® 



24 Annate of Binghamton. 

Owego side, and met Clinton's division about half way 
between Union and Binghamton. According to Mr. 
Rush's statement, the detachment came up as tar as 
Binghamton, for, he says, he encamped upon its ground. 

The discrepancy between Mr. Rush and those who say 
the detachment came no farther than about mid-way be- 
tween the place of Union and that of this village, may 
be reconciled by supposing a portion of the detachment 
came up as far as this village, and, according to Mr. 
Rush, still farther. Mr. Rush remembered the point of 
these two rivers distinctly ; and said there were several 
Indian wigwams upon it at the time, but no Indians to 
be seen. That there was corn growing upon the Island 
just above the white bridge, which they destroyed.* 

Clinton, on his way down, destroyed the Indian settle- 
ment at Oquaga, and, more than probable, one or more 
villages of theirs on the Chenango river. There were 
the vestiges of a recent village on the bank of this river, 
about three miles above the village of Binghamton, on 
the west side, and a little below Captain Leonard's pres- 
ent residence, visible to the first white settlers. The in- 
ference is, that they were the remains of an Indian vil- 
lage destroyed by Clinton. 

After the detachment from Tioga met with the New 
York division,the whole moved down the river, having one 
or two skirmishes with parties of Indians who appeared 
now and then upon the adjacent hills. Nearly opposite : 
Judge Stoddard's, on the south side of the river, have; 
been found one or more cannon balls.f These, almost to) 

* The white bridge was the name given to the bridge across 
the Susquehanna river, at the mouth of the Chenango ; the 
present, (1871), covered bridge occupies the site of the white 
bridge. The island referred to was formerly quite large and I 
contained some fine trees. This island was much resorted to by 
picnic parties and social gatherings of the people of the village. 
It is now nearly all washed away, the remaining portions be- 
ing amte low and cut up by the action of the water. 

f .1 ndge Stoddard's residence was about a mile east of Hooper, , 
about where the river road crosses the Erie Railway track. The 
cannon balls were found in a knoll close by the river, nearly in i 
front of the residence of Mrs. Morse. 



Annals of Binghamton, 25 

a certainty, were thrown from their cannon, as several 
discharges were made, particularly at this place and near 
Union. A little lower down the river, also, from Judge 
\ Stoddard's, and on the north side, on John D. Merse- 
reau's farm, there is still to be seen the remains of an 
Indian fort, which, according to the tradition, was 
thrown np at this time. Evident marks also of musket 
shot upon the trees near the shore here, which were very 
visible when the country was first settled. A little east 
of Union, upon what is called Hound Hill, there was 
quite a skirmish. The Indians appear to have collected 
here to a considerable number, with, probably, the design 
of giving battle, judging of the number and strength of 
their enemy from the comparatively small number they 
saw pass up the river. But on the return, this compara- 
tively small number was converted into a formidable 
army. They were therefore far from venturing an en- 
gagement, and at the discharge of the cannon, tliey fled 
precipitately over the hill towards the river; one Indian, 
some say two, as it was perceived, in the general flight, 
fell from a projected rock or precipice and broke his 
neck. They then proceeded down the river to Tioga 
Point, without any thing remarkable further oceuring. 
The whole army destined for this invasion, being now 
together, marched for the head of the Seneca Lake, pro- 
ceeding up the Chemung river on the east side. The 
Indians who were engaged in the battle at Wyoming, at 
the approach of winter retired to the neighborhood of 
Oquaga and Unadilla, with the celebrated Brant at their 
head. Captain Brant, who was never found idle, was 
busy in preparing for the next summer's campaign ; so 
that at the time of this expedition, the Indians, with 
their tory allies who had wintered in Canada, were never 
better prepared to meet their foe, having nearly their en- 
tire strength concentrated in this army, with high spirits, 
from the signal victory gained the year before at Wyom- 
ing., Their number was about 800 Indians and 200 tories, 
under the united command of Captain Brant and Col- 
oriel John Butler, a British officer. 



S<5 A ii mt Is of Binghamton. 

The Indians, it is said, when they first heard that a 
large army was making its way into" (heir wilderness to 
lay waste their fields and dwellings, laughed at the sup- 
posed imposibility of so large a body of men either mak- 
ing an ingress into their dense wilderness or of finding 
out their settlements. They were not probably aware 
that the American army had, as guides, some of their 
own brethren of the Oneidas. One in particular was 
chosen, a brave and intelligent Oneida, to guide their 
marches and to lead them from settlement to settlement. 
He served them in this capacity through their march 
out; I, nt just before they had terminated their outward 
course, he was taken prisoner with another Oneida, in a 
skirmish near Ebrieoy, now called Richmond, in Ontario 
county, and'crnelly put, to death. 

Flanking parties were kept out both by the enemy and 
Our army, to watch each other's movements, and to pre- 
vent surprise. When they had moved up the riveijfrom 
Tioga about twelve or fourteen miles, and within six 
miles of Newton, nearly opposite Wellsburgh, they came 
to an engagement. It was severely fought for awhile, 
when an attempt was made to surround the enemy. A 
high mountain being on one side, and the river upon the 
other, const iin led a favorable opportunity. Gen. Hand 
with his brigade was therefore ordered to file off to the 
right, and pass around the mountain and come down to 
the river above the enemy. But Brant observing this ma- 
noeuvre, ordered a retreat, by which, being I imely effect- 
ed, he saved himself. Brant and Butler retired about a 
mile and a hull' farther up the river, and made another 
stand. This was near to what is now called Baldwin's 
Tavern. Here they threw up a temporary breast-work 
during the night, and waited for their enemy. Upon the 
enemy's arriving a battle took place here also. The In- 
dians were completely routed, and many of them killed. 
They retreated still up the river, and upon the present 
site of Elmira, or rather a few chains below ; they threw 
ep a hasty redoubt, vestiges of which still remain. 
Whether there was any skirmishing here does not ap- 



Athtbul* of Biiiyha/ulan. %i 

pear. The Indians, with their allies, retired farther up 
the river, ten or twelve miles above Newton, at a place 
called the Narrows, where they made a determinate 
gtand. Our army still pursued them to this place. A 
furious and bloody engagement look place here ; the In- 
dians and tor ies fighting, as if il were their last forlorn 
hope. They met with a great defeat here too. 

Their slain was very large in number; and the sides 
of the rocks towards the river were literally drenched in 
blood. The Indians threw their dead into the river, and 
made their escape with great terror and precipitation. 
They undoubtedly thought, that al this narrow pass, 
they would, with the greatesl prospeci of success, be able 
to stop the further progress of their enemy. They were 
in hopes, also, of diverting them into a course which 
frhich would lead them away from their settlements. 

After this bloody engagement al; the Narrows, Sullivan 
led back the army to Newtown. Prom this place he lay 
his course directly to the head of Seneca Lake. Every 
night now, when the army encamp 'd, he ordered cannon 
to be fired, that the Indians might be..$pprised of. the 
rapidity of his marches. 

Braul and Butler, with their remaining veterans, seem 
to have kept ata cautious distance from our I coops, hang- 
ing upon their rear or flanks, and watching their move- 
ments. Sullivan appears not to have met with the ene- 
my again until he came to the outlet pi the lake, the 
shore of which he had been following from its head. One 
mile and a half north of the outlet he found the capital 
oi the Senecas, Kanadesaga. The Indians had, oven to 
the least child, retreated from the place, leaving, how- 
ever, a white child of four years old, according to another 
statement seven years old, behind. The child was taken 
into the care oi" an officer, who, on account of ill health, 
was not on duty. The officer took the little prisouer 
homo to his residence on, or near, the N >n!i river, and 
adopted it into his family. The tow'n Was entirely de- 
stroyed, with tliL' fruits of their fields, Prom near this 
place were sent back to Tioga Point a captain, and fifty 



28 '. Annals of Binghamton. 

sick. The army now took a western direction, and after} 
marching twelve or fifteen miles, came to the outlet of" 
Canandaigua Lake, where they destroyed another town/, 
called after the lake, of about twenty houses. Some oh 
the houses had neat chimneys, and were otherwise built , 
superior to ordinary wg warns. From Canandaigua the'; 
army proceeded to Hoi eoy, which they destroyed; r.nd. 
passing by Hemlock Lake, they came to the head of: 
Connessius Lake, where the army encamped for the 
night, on the ground which is now called Henderson's? 
Flats. 

Soon after the army had encamped, at the dusk of; 
evening, a party of twenty-one men, under the command 
of Lieut. William Boyd, was detached from the rifle • 
corps, which was commanded by the celebrated Mor- 
gan, and sent out for the jmrpose of reconnoitering the 
ground near the Genesee river, at a place now called I 
Williamsburgh, at a distance from the place of encamp- 
ment of about seven miles, and under the guidance of at 
faithful Indian pilot. The place was then the site of am 
Indian village ; and it was apprehended that the Indi- 
ans and rangers, as their allies were called, might be 
.there, or in its vicinity. 

When the party arrived at Williamsburgh, they found! 
that the Indians had very recently left the place, as the,' 
fires in their huts were still burning. The night was sot 1 
far spent when they got to the place of their destination,, 
that the gallant Boyd, considering the fatigue of his- 1 
men, concluded to remain quietly where he was, near^ 
the village, sleeping upon their arms, till the next morn- 
ing, and then to despatch two messengers with a reporfcf 
to the camp. Accordingly, a little before daybreak, he 
sent two men to the main body of the army with infor- 
mation that the enemy had not been discovered but 
were supposed to be not far distant, from the fires they, 
found burning the evening before. 

After day-light, Lieut. Boyd and his men cautiously! 
crept from the place of concealment, and upon getting* 
a view of the village, discovered two Indians lurking;' 



Annals of Binghamion, W 

about the settlement One of whom was immediately 
shot and scalped by one of the riflemen, by the name of 
Murphy. Lieut. Boyd — supposing now that if there 
were Indians near they would be aroused by the report 
[of the rifle, and possibly by a perception of what had 
[just taken place, the scalping of the Indian — thought it 
[most prudent to retire and make his best way back to 
the main army. They accordingly set out, and retraced 
»the steps they had taken the evening before. 

On their arriving within about one mile and a half of 
the main army, they were surprised by the sudden ap- 
spearance of a body of Indians, to the amount of five 
'hundred, under the command of Brandt, and the same 
inumber of rangers, commanded by the infamous Butler, 
| who had secreted themselves in a ravine of considerable 
jextent, which lay across the track that Lieut. Boyd had 
pursued. These two leaders of the enemy had not lost 
fight of the American army since their appalling defeat 
;at the Narrows above Newtown, though they had not 
[shown themselves till now. With what dismay they 
imust have witnessed the destruction of their towns and 
[the fruits of their fields, that marked the progress of 
lour army! They dare not, however, any more come in 
[contact with the main army, whatever should be the 
consequence of their forbearance. 

Lieut. Boyd and his little heroic party, upon discov- 
ering the enemy, knowing that the only chance for their 
[escape would be by breaking through their lines, an en- 
j'terprize of most desperate undertaking, made the bold 
•attempt. As extraordinary as it may seem, the first on- 
set, though unsuccessful, was made without the loss of a 
.{man on the part of the heroic band, though several of 
Sfche enemy were killed. Two attempts more were made, 
which were equally unsuccessful, and in which the 
whole party fell, except Lieut. Boyd and eight others. 
Boyd and a soldier by the name of " Parker, were taken 
(prisoners on the spot; a part of the remainder fled, 
jjand aparfc fell on the ground apparently dead, and were 
Kerlooked by the Indians who were too much en- 



30 AmmU of BinyhamloH. 



fcs"e 



aged in pursuing the fugitive to notice those who fell. 

When Lieut. Boyd found h'mself a prisoner, he solic- 
ited an interview with Brandt, preferring, it seems, to 
throw himself upon the clemency and fidelity of the sav- 
age eader of the enemy, rather than trust to his civiliz- 
ed 'colleague. The chief, who was at that moment near, 
immediately preseri%^ i?: himself, when Lieut, Boyd, by 
one of those appeals and tokens which are known only 
by those who have been initiated and instructed in cer- 
tain niysteries, and which never fail to bring succor to a 
distresed brother, addressed him as the only source from 
which lie could expect respite from cruel punishment or 
death. The appeal was recognized, and Brandt immed- 
iately, and in the strongest language assured him that 
his life should be spared. 

Boyd and his fellow-prisoner were conducted immedi- 
ately' by a party of the Indians to the Indian village, 
called Beardstowh, after a distinguished chief of that 
name, on the west side of the Genesee river, and in what 
is now called Leicester. After their arrival at Beards- 
town, Brandt, being called on service which required a 
few hours' absence, left them in the care of Col. Butler. 
The latter, as soon as Brandt had left them, commenced 
an interrogation, to obtain from the prisoners a state- 
ment of the number, situation and intentions of the ar- 
my under Sullivan ; and threatened them, in case they 
hesitated or prevaricated in their answers, to deliver them 
up immediately to be massacred by the Indians; who, in 
Brandt's absence, and with the encouragement of their 
more savage commander, Butler, were ready ^to^eommit 
the greatest cruelties. Relying probably upon the prom- 
ises which Brandt had made them, and which he most 
likely intended to fulfil, they refused to give Butler thej 
desired information. Upon- this refusal, burning with 
revenge, Butler hastened'to put his threat into execution* 
He delivered them to some of their most ferocious ene- 
mies, among which the Indian chief Little Beard was 
distinguished for his inventive ferocity. In this, that 
was about to take place, as well as in all the orher scenes 



A'tiuth (if }>itujha:iii(aru HI 

of cruelty that were perpetrated in his town, Little Beard 
was master of ceremonies. The stoutest heart quails un- 
der the apprehension of immediate and certain torture 
and death ; where too, there is not an eye that pities, nor 
& heart that feels. The suffering Lieutenant was first 
stripped of his clothing, t*nd then tied to a sapling, when 
the Indians menaced his life by throwing their toma- 
hawks at the tree directly over his head, brandishing 
their scalping knives around him in the most frightful 
manner, and accompanying their ceremonies with ter» 
rific shouts of joy. Haying punished him sufficiently in 
this way, they made a snudi opening in his abdomen, 
took out an intestine, which they tied lo a sapling, and 
then unbound him from the tree, and by scourges, drove 
him around it till lie had drawn out the whole of his iu= 
testines. He was then beheaded, and his head stuck 
upon a pole, with a dog's head just above it, and his 
body left unburied upon the ground. 

Thus perished William Boyd, a young officer of hero- 
ic virtue and of rising talents ; and in a manner that 
will touch the sympathies of all who read the story of 
was his death. His fellow-soldier and lellow-sufferer, 
Parker, obliged to wirness this moving and tragical scene, 
and in full expectation of passing the same ordeal, 

According, however, to our information, in relation to 
the death of these two men, which has been obtained in™ 
cidentally from the Indian account of it, corroborated 
by the discovery of the two bodies by the American army, 
Parker was only beheaded. 

The main army, immediately after hearing of the sit- 
uation of Lieut. Boyd's detachment, moved toward Gen- 
esee river, and finding the bodies of those who were slain 
in the heroic attempt to penetrate the enemy's line, bu- 
ried them in what is now the town of Groveland, near 
the bank of Beard's Creek, under a bunch of wild plum 
trees, where the graves are to be seen to this day, 

Upon their arrival at the Genesee river, the army- 
crossed over, scoured the country for some distance upon 
the river, burnt the Indian villages on the Geiie:ee flats, 



?)'% Annals of Binghcimton. 

particularly the capital of the Genesee country, consist* 
ing of 120 houses, Avith vast quantities of corn and other 
productions of their fields. The army encamped around 
the town, and tarried long enough to gather the produc- 
tions of their extended plains into their wigwams, and 
to destroy both, by setting the buildings on fire. 

While engaged in this work of devastation, or before 
they commenced a return, a white woman was accident- 
ally found, who had been taken prisoner at Wyoming. 
She was found by one of the sentinels a little before sun- 
rise, in a most forlorn condition, with only a ragged 
blanket around her. She had concealed herself for many 
days, and had lived this whole time upon only three ears 
of corn. When first discovered she only begged her life, 
Saying, "do not shoot me." As soldiers are noted for 
their chivalry, so^ in this instance, the rustic sentinel, 
with becoming feeling and delicacy,* led her, trembling 
iind mortified, to Col. Butler. Probably she .immediate- 
ly let it be known that she was taken prisoner at Wyo- 
Imiftg, and was therefore brought to Col Butler as one 
'most likely to recognize her. He was himself from that 
place, and commanded at the great massacre there, She 
was found to be a Mrs. Lester, whose husband fell on 
the clay of that bloody engagement, She was made com- 
fortable ii} the camp, her fears allayed, and treated with 
suitable respept. She was brought by the army back to 
Wyoming. 

Sq entire was the destruction of the cattle, grain and 
fruit of the region around the capital, that the Indians 
upon their return after the army had left, according to 
1-he statement of Mrs. Jimison, who was herself among 
the Jndians and sharing their fortunes, that there was 
iiot left a mouthful of any kind of sustenance, not even 
enough to keep a child one day froni perishing with hmix 
ger. 

The Indians by this time had become so alarmed lest 
an entire destruction should be made of them, that, in 
leaving their capital at Sullivan's approach, they sent 
tbW women, and children, far on. towards Buffalo, ao* 



Annals of Binghamton. 33 

companied with other Indians, while a part only remain- 
ed secreting themselves to watch the movements of their 
enemy. 

Sullivan, having; now accomplished the destruction of 
all the Indian settlements towards the West, so far as he 
could learn, determined to commence his march back. 
The army re-crossed the Genesee river, and pursued the 
same path back to Geneva, and indeed to Tioga Point 
and Wyoming, that they had pursued in coming. At 
Honeoy a number of horses, worn down with service, on 
their way out, had been left at large in the woods to re- 
cruit ; which on their return could not be found. In 
consequence of this, a considerable amount of the army's 
baggage must have been left, had not many of the offi- 
cers, entitled to ride, given up their horses and walked ; 
among whom was the commander-in-chief himself. An 
illustrious instance of dignified condescension, and of 
moral beauty. 

On their way back, at Canandaigua, Sullivan detached 
Col. Butler, of Wyoming, with live hundred riflemen, to 
Cayuga Lake to destroy the settlements on that Lake. 
Lieut.-Col. Dearborn was also detached, with two hun- 
dred men, to the south side of the Lake, to execute 
the same work upon the Indian settlements there. 
South and east of Catharine they appear to have 
passed a swamp on their way out, which they much 
dreaded on their return. This swamp, which was it- 
self called Catharine, as well as the present town of 
that name which occupies the site of the swamp, was 
called after a celebrated French woman who had mar- 
ried an Indian husband, and who w 7 as living in or near 
this place at the time the army was marching out. She 
was of a masculine, Amazonian temperament, and hav- 
ing united her interest and feelings with the Indians, 
she showed herself, and employed the point of a woman's 
reproach and sarcasm upon the army as they passed. 
Some of the soldiers, however, contrived, at their own 
instigation, so to dispose of her that her tongue should 
be still for the future. This is their tradition. But Col. 



34: Annals of Binghamton. 

Stone, in his '''Life of Capt. Brandt," says she was living 
after the war. Her entire name, according to him, was 
Catharine Montann. 

When they arrived within six miles of Newtown, either 
now on their return, or when going out, they were obliged 
to abandon between three and four hundred of their 
horses, they were so galled and jaded down ; and lest 
they should fall into the hands of the Indians after re- 
covering their strength and soundness, they led them 
out from the camp and shot them. When the place 
came to be settled, the primitive inhabitants finding the 
skeletons of their heads bleaching yet upon the ground, 
in honor and commemoration of the event, gave the 
place the name of " Horse Heads.-' 

The army, upon arriving at Newtown, was saluted 
from the fort which Capt. Reid and two hundred men 
had thrown up to guard some stores and cattle sent up 
the river from Tioga for the army. He appears to have 
been left for this purpose. The salute was given by tir- 
ing thirteen guns ; and was answered from the artillery 
of the army. Here a public rejoicing took place, in con- 
sequence of receiving intelligence that Spain had de- 
clared Avar against Great Britain. This intelligence, to- 
gether with the happy and important result of their ex- 
pedition, gave uncommon vivacitv and cheer to the 
spirits of the way-worn army. The rejoicing was cele- 
brated by killing and roasting five oxen, one fur each 
brigade ; by giving double rations of bread and liquor ; 
and by the discharge of cannon and small arms. Here 
also the army remained a number of days to recruit their 
wasted strength, and thus to prepare fur the long jour- 
ney yet before them. 

After leaving Newtown, they passed down the Che- 
mung to Tioga Point, on the same side they marched 
up, having an opportunity of viewing the desolations 
they had made, and the ground from which they had 
driven the enemy. But now not a solitary one to be 
seen. From Tioga they pass down to Wyoming ; from 
Wyoming they cross to Easton, where they arrived about 



Aiui'fh of Bingham Ion. 35 

the loth of October: and from Easton to Morristown, 

of New Jersey, where they went into winter quarters. 
General Clinton, with the New" York line, appears to 
have left the main army at Tioga, and marching to the 
Hudson river, went into winter quarters at West Point. 

The whole number lost in this truly celebrated and 
difficult expedition, including those who fell and those 
who died of sickness, was only forty men. The heroism, 
military skill, and patient perseverance with which it 
was conducted, its great success, and happy results to 
the frontier inhabitants, entitled the officers and men to 
distinguished praise and gratitude, which undoubtedly 
they received ; and ever will, so long as their history re- 
mains. Upon the completion of it, Congress passed a 
vote of thanks to Gen. Sullivan, to his officers and men. 

The following winter, 1779-80, was distinguished, on 
account of its unexampled rigor, by the name of the 
hard winter. Tins was very unfortunate and severe 
upon the Indians, who depended for their sustenance 
upon the fields of grain which Sullivan destroyed; and, 
whose villages being burnt, were left houseless. 

In this year, 1780, the waters of the Susquehanna 
wafted down, from its head to the mouth of the Che- 
mung, the canoes of another warlike company, under the 
command of Capt Brandt. It consisted of forty-three 
Indian warriors and SQYen tories, having in custody 
eleven prisoners, whom they had taken soon after the 
burning of Harpersfield, in Delaware county, and were 
conducting to Niagara, They were what remained of 
fourteen militiamen, who had been sent out some little 
distance from Fort Schoharie, and were, at the time 
they were taken, busily employed in manufacturing su- 
gar in a maple grove. Capt. Alexander Harper was one 
of these prisoners. Emotions and apprehensions man- 
tled the bosoms of these men as they passed the banks of 
the present Binghamton ; such as have, more than prob- 
ably, not been experienced by any in or so near our neigh- 
borhood since, if before, that day. They looked forward 
to a certain and torturing death, which they were daily 
told by the tories, they were soon to experience. 



CHAPTER III. 



The first white man who made a permanent settle- 
ment in what is claimed for the village vicinity, was 
Captain Joseph Leonard. He moved from Wyoming in 
the year 1787, only eight years after Sullivan's expedi- 
tion, with a young wife and two little children. His 
wife and the two little ones were put on board a canoe 
with what goods he brought up, and the canoe rowed by 
a hired man ; while he himself came up on land with 
two horses, keeping the shore and regulating his pro- 
gress by that of his family in the river. A Captain Bald- 
win, who settled on the Chemung river, moved up at 
the same time in company with him. 

Captain Leonard was originally from Plymouth, Mas- 
sachusetts. He went, when quite a young man, on one 
or more voyages in the whale fishery. He lived in Wy- 
oming some number of years ; was there under arms in 
the time of the great massacre, though not on the field 
of action. He owned a farm there. At the time of the 
great Susquehanna or ice freshet, his own dwelling, with 
many others, was carried away in the wide-spread devas- 
tation of that deluge. This event, which took place, it 
is believed, in 1784, together with the disputed state of 
their land titles, induced Capt. Leonard to leave, and to 
seek more, peaceable and secure possessions. 

For information on the nature and extent of the con- 
troversy between the Susquehanna Company, who orig- 



Annuls of Buighanttiy/u 3T 

inally settled Wyoming — having made the purchase of 
the Government of Connecticut, and the heirs of Wil- 
liam Penn, — as the subject is extensive, the reader must- 
be referred to the History of Wyoming. 

Captain Leonard received his first information of this 
region through the medium of Amos Draper, then an 
Indian trader in these parts. There was, Capt. Leonard 
says, when he came here, a Mr. Lyon, who lived in a 
temporary log house, near where CoL Page's ashery now 
stands.* In the short period of two or three weeks after 
the arrival of Capt. L.. as if in accordance with a precon- 
certed coincidence, came Col. William Eose and his 
brother, and fixed their location a little further up the 
river beyond Capt. Leonard's.! It was also but a short 
time after the arrival of the lat:er, that he, with Amos 
Draper, invited the Indians of the neighborhood to meet 
in council, and leased of them, for the term of ninety- 
nine years, one mih square : for which they were to give 
a barrel of corn per year. This lease, however, was in- 
validated by an act of the State Legislature having been 
previously passed, and without the knowledge of these 
men."' that no lands should be leased or purchased of the 
Indians by private individuals.*'" But before it was known 
that such a law existed, Col. Eose and his brother pur- 
chased Mr. r7raper s interest in the lease. It embraced 
where the three had located themselves and where Capt. 
Leonard and Col. Eose still live. The brother of Col. 
Eose settled himself in what was afterward called Lisle, 
where he lived till within a few years, when he removed 
to Wayne county, in Pennsylvania. 

*Col. Page's ashery stood on the west side of the Chenango 
river, and just below the suspension bridge in this city. 

■{■Captain Leonard settled just above die present location of the 
County Poor House. Aniasa Leonard, his son, occupied a portion, 
or all, of the Captain Leonard farm up to the time of his death, 
which occurred only a few years since, Amasa Leonard is claim- 
ed to have been the first white child born in Broome county. Col. 
Rose settled at the place now called " Goosetown," or Ximmons- 
burg. 



?>$ AnnaU of Binghamtoiu 

Col. Rose and his brother came from Connecticut on 
foot ; and when they reached what is called Wattles' 
Ferry, where the Catskill mountains cross the Susque- 
hanna river, they procured a canoe and came down in 
that ; bringing stores with them to this place. 

They often saw parties of Indians on the shore, sitting 
by their tires, engaged in their festivities, or skirting the 
mountains in pursuit of deer. They, however, never of- 
fered to molest them. 

These young adventurers first left their native State, 
Connecticut, for the wilds of Vermont, on the banks of 
the Lamoile. But not being satisfied with the prospects 
before them, left those less propitious lands, for the coun- 
try of Wyoming, or rather the coutrny bordering on the 
Conhocton. 

When, however, journeying toward this country, they 
had passed down the Susquehanna as far as what is now 
called Union, they learned from a temporary settler of 
that place, a Mr. Gallup, that the country they were seek- 
ing was in high dispute ; that they could obtain no sat- 
isfactory title for their land, and that they would be 
obliged to fight for their crops. Upon receiving this in- 
telligence, they turned back to the mouth of the Chen- 
ango river, whose broad stream and pleasant banks struck 
them favorably as they passed down. 

In the same year, 1786, and not far from the same 
time, came also, Joshua Whitney, (the father of the pres- J 
ent Gen. Joshua Whitney,) Gen. Wm. Whitney and Hen- 
ry Green. These three families came from Hillsdale, 
Columbia county, and settled on the west side also of 
the Chenango, about two miles above its junction with 
the Susquehanna, on what was afterwards called Whit- 
ney's Flats. At this time there appear to have been no 
other inhabitants, except those already mentioned, near- 
er than Tioga Point, a distance of forty miles. 

But previously to the settlement of these first emi- 
grants, viz. : Capt. Leonard, Col. Rose and his brother, 
the two Whitneys, Henry Green, and Mr. Gallup, at the 
Forks, in the year 1786, or earlier, a few individuals, of 



Annah of Bingliamton. 39 

the State of Massachusetts, having become acquainted 
with this region from individuals who had been in the 
Indian expedition, came and viewed the country. After 
seeing it, and obtaining a grant from their own State, 
they determined on purchasing a large tract of the In- 
dians ; and proposed to have it bounded on the east by 
the Chenango river ; on the south by the patents of 
Bingham and Cox, who, it seems, were prior to them in 
their purchase ; on the west side by the Owego creek • 
and extending so far north as to embrace within the lim- 
its just specified, 230,000 acres. The amount paid by 
|the company to the State was £1500. 

This tract, according to the grant made to the compa- 
ny was to be bounded on the south by the Susquehanna 
river. But when the agents of the company came, they 
found that patents had already been granted to Bingham, 
Wilson and Cox, by the state of New York, embracing 
:he valley of the Susquehanna, which fixed the southern 
jo-undary of the company upon the northern boundary 
)f these patents, in extent about twenty miles square, 
jtnd containing, as it was afterwards divided, ten town- 
ships. 

The claims upon the southern part of the State of 
\ T ew York, which Massachusetts once asserted in virtue 
f some old but not well defined grants, were finally sat- 
sfied uy the former State granting to the latter the right 
>f pre-emption to all the lands within the bounds of the 
State of New York lying west of a line drawn due north 
jrom the eighty-second mile-stone on the Pennsylvania 
ine, to Lake Ontario. 

They made their propositions to the Indians for the 
nirchase of it, appointed a time and place for the nego- 
iation of the bargain, and returned home. These indi- 
viduals, at first, designed to form a company to consist 
nly of eleven persons; but conceiving the purchase too 
leavy for so small a number, and having so many appli- 
iations for co-partnership, the number 'of the company 
has finally fixed at sixty. This company appointed as 
ommissioners to treat with the Indians, "Elijah Brown, 



40 Annals of Binghamtmu 

Gen. Oringh Stoddard, Gen. Moses Ashley, Capt. Ray- 
mond, and Col. David Pixley. These gentlemen met the- 
Indians in treaty, in the first instance on the Chenango, 
river, the east side, two or three miles above the present 
village of Binghamton, in the fore part of winter. Butt 
at this treaty the negotiation was not fully complete^ 
and they adjourned to meet at the Forks of the Chenan-- 
go. At this second treaty, there were between three and! 
four hundred Indians. 

At this and the former treaty, it is said, the Indians, 
who were furnished with provisions and liquor at the,' 1 
expense of the company, would get drunk, almost to a i 
man, by night, but be sober through the day. W hile 
the subjects of the treaty were under discussion from 
day to dav, they would sit in circles upon the ground, 
and listen with the utmost decorum. Their chiefs, when 
they spoke, would speak in substance, if not in form, lffl 
accordance with parliamentary rule, Captain, and af- 
terwards Esquire, Dean was their interpreter, and did 
their business. , 

The nominal sum paid for this tract is not now known 
but the payment was made, one-half in money, and iln 
other moiety in goods, consisting of rifles, hatchets, am- 
munition, blankets and woolen cloths. The last, it i|l 
said, the savages, in perfect character with their taste 
immediately tore into strings for ornament. 

An estimation was made of the entire cost of these tei 
townships, to wit : the purchase price, the expense o 
the treaties, and the survey made of it, and found tc 
amount to about one shilling per acre. The number o 
acres contained in the tract, as has just been stated, wa 
230,000 square acres. This, equally divided among th 
sixty proprietors, would give to each 3,833 acres, with 
fraction over. The price for which the land was sold, 
the earliest sale of it, was uniformly at twenty-five cent! 
per acre ; but it, after a little, rose to one dollar per acre 
and even to more. 

The land upon the shores of the the two rivers, 
for some distance back, was, even at the time of the pur 






o 



n 



Annul* of Bingham ton, 41 

chase, partially cleared, go far as the Indians have then- 
lands cleared. The under-brash was cleared, having 
been kept down by burning, and grass growing on the 
flats. The Indians uniformly keep down the shrubby 
part of their hunting grounds, that they may, with the 
more facility, discover and pursue their game. Col. Rose 
says, that lie could see deer upon the mountains imme- 
diately back of him for a half mile, so free were they of 
under-brush. He observes, also, that the woods exhibit- 
ed a sombre appearance, from their annual burnings. 
The large Island opposite Judge Stoddard's, was, when 
the first settlers came, covered with grass and the ana- 
cum weed, a tall kind of weed, the roots of which they 
were in the habit of digging and drying, and then grind- 
ing or pounding for bread stuff; or rather its anologv, 
perhaps, when their corn failed them. 

The Indians in their treaty with the New England 
commissioners, reserved to themselves the right of hunt- 
ing upon the lands they had sold, for the term of seven 
years ; and also made a reserve of one-half mile square, 
as their own possession. This reserve was situated near 
the mouth of Castle creek, and went by the name of the 
Castle Farm- Upon this reserve the Indians of the neigh- 
borhood who did not remove to New Stockbridge, or 
Oneida, resided. Their number on the farm is said to 
have been about twenty families. They by no means 
confined themselves to this little spot. They cultivated 
the ground of the farm, more or less, but defended chief- 
Jy, in accordance with their long custom and native pro. 
pensity, upon hunting and fishing. 

It ig said there was one elderly person among them 
who had all their manners and followed their customs, 
but wasevidently no Indian. He was of fair or light 
complexion ; had a fine pair of blue eyes, and formed 
otherwise like a white man. The supposition with re^ 
?ard to him is, that he had been taken from his parents 
when a child, and brought up by them. It is well known 
that they often adopt white children taken as prisoners, 
ind bring them up as their own, Their custom is, when- 



42 Annals of BvnyJtmiiion, 

ever any of themselves are either slain or taken prisoners 
in battle, to give to the nearest relative of the dead or i 
missing, a prisoner whom they have taken in battle. If' 
they have taken no prisoner, they give them a scalp of 
the enemy. If the bereaved friends receive a prisoner, „ 
it is left to their option either to satiate their vengeance 
by patting him to death in the most cruel manner, or tot 
receive and adopt him into their family, in place of their* 
lost relative. In such cases, good looking children are 1 
almost always saved. The man had an Indian wife and I 
several children. 

The Indians kept up their peculiar mode of dress sou 
long as they remained upon their farm ; clothing them- 
selves with their shirt and moccasins, their head bare,, 
except sometimes ornamenting it with feathers, and' 
wearing jewels of silver in their nose and ears. Their 
wigwams were built of logs locked together at the ends,, 
and sloping upon two sides from the ground to a peak], 
like the roof of a house. 

Another form of their wigwams was, to erect fouri 
stakes, or crotches, two longer and two shorter ; uporj 
these too lay two poles, one upon the longer, the otheri 
upon the shorter crotches. Upon these poles they would 1 
lay sticks or smaller poles and then barks, with sufficient 
ingenuity to exclude the rain and weather. From the 
lower crotches to the ground they would tie barks, an- 
swering to our weather boarding. They would close up| 
the two ends in the same manner. Upon the front side 
were suspended skins of deer sewed together, from thei. 
pole upon the high crotches to the ground ; and which)] 
they could raise or fall at pleasure. Before this their] 
fire was kindled, and the curtain of skins raised by day\ 
time, and more or less lowered by night, as the \vea_theri 
might be. In some cases they would have their wig- 
wams lined with deer skins, Seldom any floor bull 
the ground. Their bed consisted of straw or skins; 
thrown down. When they sat down, it was always upon 
tbe ground. In eating, theyt sat generally without anjj 
order, as they happened to be, upon the ground, wit! 



Annah of Binghamlon* 43 

each his piece in his hand. Their adroitness in spear- 
ing fish was admired by the whites, in which they dis- 
played as much marksmanship as they do with the bow 
and arrow. They would throw the spear at the fish, 
which very seldom failed of transfixing its object, though 
the distance to which it was thrown should be twenty 
or thirty feet, the fish moving rapidly at the same time, 
and the water running swift. 

Their chief was called Squire Antonio.* This title 
was given him by the whites on account of his just de- 
cisions, his correct judgment, and his sober habits. He 
was very much esteemed by the white people, as well as 
revered and loved by his own. He undoubtedly con- 
tributed very materially towards maintaining that peace- 
ful and friendly, or at least orderly, conduct which the 
Indians have the good name of having observed towards 
the whites. All the old and early inhabitants, who are 
still living, say they never had any serious difficulty with 
the Indian 8 . They always made it a point to use them 
well; and the same conduct it seems was by them uni- 
formly reciprocated. They mention a few exceptions, if 
exceptions they should be called, which occurred almost 
entirely from the effects of liquor. Their pacific deport- 
ment, however, besides the influence of their chief, owed 
its origin undoubtedly to the just and equitable manner 
in which the primitive settlers obtained their title from 
them, the fewness of their own number, and especially 
the comparatively late and effectual drubbing they had 
received from Gen. Sullivan and his army. For it seems 
to have been fresh still in their memery, What part the 

* This was tlie Onondaga Chief, so" well known by the early 
settlers of Binghamton as the father of Abraham Antonio, who 
was hung for murder when over 80 years of age. The latter is 
still remembered, by some of our older inhabitants. He wag 
intelligent, but spoke English very poorly. He informed 
George Park, Esq., of this city that the word Chenango, as ap- 
plied to the river, signified " Fern" or *•' Brake" in the Mohawk 
language. That would make the Chenango river the " River oi 
Ferns," or " River of Brakes." Antonio is said to have spokea 
ths M<rhawk- language very finely, 



44 Annals of Bingham to a, 

Indians who resided in this region took in opposing the 
march of that army into their country, we have no means 
of ascertaining to a certainty. The primitive inhabi- 
tants seem to have esteemed it prudent not to converse 
much, if any, with them on the subject. They, however, 
were undoubtedly engaged with their brethren in arms ? 
according to indirect testimony, as will hereafter appear. 



. «. 



CHAPTER IV. 

The same year in which Capt. Leonard, Colonel Rose, 
and the two Mr. Whitneys came into these parts, came 
also several others with their families. Lyon, who has 
already been spoken of, and who afterward kept for sev- 
eral years the ferry across the Chenango river, about 
where Col. Lewis' Mills now are.' 1 " Jesse Thayer settled 
where Christopher Eldredge now lives. f Peter and Thom- 
as Ingersol settled where James Haivley now lives. J; Sam- 
uel Harding settled on the Bevier place, on the east 
side of the Chenango. Capt. John Sawtell, opposite 
the Poor House, and on the farm now owned and occu- 
pied by Mr. Dickson. A Mr. Butler settled a little be- 
low Capt. Leonard, and on the river bank. Solomon 
Moore settled on the site of the present village of Bing- 
hamton.§ 

* About the location of the present suspension bridge, 

+ At the lower end of Front street. 

X The Eldridge place on the banks of the river, in the 5th Ward, 

§ Near where the gas works are now located. He was the 
father of Mr. John Moore, who owns the large farm in the 5th 
Ward, 



Annals of Binghamton. 45 

A man by the name of Cole, who lived about two 
miles above where Col. Eose located himself, lived and 
died there, was one who had taken shelter here, before 
any white inhabitant had moved into these parts. He 
was found here when the earliest settlers came. 

Ont of regard to the descendants of Mr. Cole, avIio are 
said to be numerous and respectable, it might be thought 
the duty of the writer of these Annals, to suppress the 
history of his deeds. But the love of truth, which should 
pervade all minds, even of those more immediately affec- 
ted by its developement, should form an ample justifica- 
tion for the narration of so much of his inhumanity as 
w T as w T ell known to his cotemporaries. He is said to have 
been an accomplice in leading on the Indians in that 
most inhuman massacre at Wyoming, and also that of 
Minnisink. It is said, that while engaged in this infer- 
nal employment at the latter place, an Indian, who was 
about to seize a child, lying in its cradle, in order to 
dash its brains out, felt his heart misgive in its cruelty, 
by the babe's smiling upon him ; and was about turning 
away from the deed, when Cole, observing him to hesi- 
tate, said, with an oath, " Is your heart too tender for 
your work ?" Upon this he seized the little innocent, 
and terminated its tender life against the door post. 

A few years after Mr. Cole had settled here, there came 
two young men into the neighborhood from Minnisink, 
enquiring for him; whose parents, according to their 
narrative, he had murdered. Cole, himself had moved 
to this place from Minnisink. Hearing where the au- 
thor of their parents' untimely and bloody death was 
living, they came all the way from their own neighbor- 
hood, with the sworn purpose to kill him. They were 
armed with rifles ; and upon arriving here they met 
with Col. Rose and Judge Whitney, who were engaged in 
their fields. They made enquiries of these men re- 
specting Cole, and finding them frank and candid 
in. their answers and acquainted with the reputed 
fact, that Cole had been engaged in the massacre of 
their devoted neighborhood, they ventured to inform 



46° Annals of Binghamion. 

them of the object of their errand, tragical as it was 
intended to be. Mr. Whitney and Mr. Rose, though 
they could not altogether condemn the heroic and natu- 
ral spirit of revenge of these young men, yet they felt 
strongly inclined, principally from a regard to his fami- 
ly, to dissuade them from their purpose. While these 
gentlemen were talking with the young men, Cole ap- 
peared in sight ; they beckoned to him to turn away, 
which intimation he understood and obeyed. They stat- 
ed to these young men, that Cole was now settled among 
them, and had a family about him ; that it was a long 
time ago when the deed was done, and also in a time of 
war. The young men, moved with what had been said to 
them, relincjuished their purpose and returned. Mr. Cole 
was, after this, careful of exposing himself, when he 
came to learn that it was known in Minnesink where he 
was. 

Captain Leonard, upon one occasion, being at Tioga 
Point in company with Cole, found it necessary to get 
him out of the way of two men, who lie found, were tak- 
ing this opportunity to kill him. The manner of his 
death, finally, might be considered as a judicial punish- 
ment for the barbarity of which he had been guilty. He 
died a miserable lingering death, occasioned by the fall 
of the roof of his house. 

One Tom Hill, who died a few years since, having 
been a town charge of this place for many years,, was 
also, it is ascertained, engaged in the massacres of Wyo- 
ming and Minnisink. He married a squaw, the celebra- 
ted Queen Esther, who distinguished herself at the mas- 
sacre at Wyoming.* 

Soon after the settlement of the emigrant* already 
mentioned, the next year, other families to the number 
of about twenty, came and settled in the region. These 
greatly added to the privation and want which were al- 

* Hill told Mr. Geo. Park that lis was never married to Esther 
but lived with her about two years. Hill was an Englishman, 
born in 1751, came to this country a boy, worked as a butcher in 
isew York city until the war* was a Tory and joined the Indians. 



An h a U of B in ah a m to n . 



$; 



ready experienced by the original emigrants. The hos- 
pitality, however, of these earlier emigrants failed them 
not, even m this severe trial of it ; but was extended to 
the wants of these sufferers, so far as lay in their power, 
and the latter could, by industry and time, create re- 
sources of their own. 

It is stilted by those still living f the first settlers, that 
a state of feeling was, on every occasion calculated all to 
bring it iorth, manifested toward one another, more of the 
nature of genuine family affection, than of mere neigh- 
borhood sympathy. They felt, they sav, like the mem- 
bers oi one family ; were readv to share the last loaf with 
him who had none. The families of the last settlers had 
verified, to them, ove: and again, the spirit and letter of 
wh-t has been just stated. The families who had barely 
more than what they absolutely needed from dav to day 
would impart to those in need, with the same equal and 
generous hand that a mother distributes her limited 
store to her hungry children. They would reserve no 
more to themselves than they parted wit] 

n.nrMPTif mnvim f^mirl i„ J-T~„ ,.. • l: r» t 



reserve no 
ti. It is a very 



ancient maxim, found m the writings of Pythagoras, and 
verified invariably to those who are its subjects, "that 
true friendship is reciprocal in its nature." Such genu- 
ine hospitality and kind feelings as were exemplified 
from day to day by these early sons of the forest— these 
pioneers of present fruitful fields and thriving villages— 
were almost sure to produce the happy results which fol- 
lowed. It is stated by the present survivors that there 
were no serious disputes in their commercial transac- 
tions for a series of years; that for a length of time they 
had no occasion for magistrate or jury. It was five years 
from the settlement before they had the semblance of a 
court. _ I his was held before Esquire Johnson, in the 
open air, shaded by some trees.* When the parties at is- 
sue, were come together, they were exhorted to adjust 
their own difference ; the magistrate remarking to them, 

* 'These courts were held under the shadow of some tall elms, 
©n the west side of the road near the outlet of Cutler's pond. 



48 Annate of Binghamton. 

that he was but a man, and his judgment only that of a 
man. They, in compliance with his admonition, and in 
accordance with the spirit of their own bosoms, settled 
their own difference. 

As a matter of course, all the primitive settlers labored 
with their own hands. The elder Mr. Whitncys them- 
selves working laboriously from day to day. Labor then, 
and it may easily be imagined what kind it was, was in 
no disrepute ; and the short time that has elapsed since, 
has in no wise changed the moral of it. However un- 
popular with the higher classes labor may have become 
in these effeminate days, still, while the human consti- 
tution remains what it ever has been, no one can exempt 
himself with impunity. The constitution suffers as soon 
as it is dispensed with, and uneasiness, ennui, and decay 
of health and strength ensue. 

By their daily and hardy industry, they lay the heads 
of the lofty pines and sturdy oaks low ; they sever into 
parts their huge trunks and branches, and heap them 
for burning. The ground with its incumbent mass 
must be burnt over, to make room for the falling seed, 
and to render the soil more nutritious and of a warmer 
temperature. Their fields must be fenced, or exposed 
to the incursion and spoliation of domestic or wild ani- 
mals. And when their grain is ripened and harvested, 
they have scarcely any place to dispose of it ; some rude 
hovel or log barn ; or it must be stacked out of doors, 
or threshed out of doors ; winnowed by the rude winds 
of heaven ; gathered into a few bags and set in one cor- 
ner, or swung across the beams of their one room. And 
when the father or oldest son has leisure, or the necessi- 
ties of the family urge, he sets out as it were, upon a lit- 
tle voyage, to be gone many days and nights, with a por- 
tion of the crop ; that the loaf might not entirely fail. 
The absence of one out of the family, though it be but a 
time, is sensibly felt, as a thousand anxieties are felt for 
the absent one, and but little to cheer those who remain 
at home. 

And generally the dreariness that surrounded them, 



Annals of Binghamton. 4i> 

the lonesomeness of home ; the pinching want at times ; 
the homely and exceedingly limited conveniences within 
doors; the imperfect manner they were defended from 
the cold and rain; the long and dreary nights of 
winter when guests or books were few or none ; the 
often tender circumstances of the wife; the liabili- 
ty ot all to diseases, fur the amelioration or cure of 
which there was no physician near ; no man of God to 
watch over their morals and to turn their wayward feet 
unto the wisdom of the just;" the children growing 
up m semi-barbarism ; the contrast which the parents 
would naturally make between the past and present, 
would at times press down, undoubtedly, the mind of 
the father, and still more the naturally anxious and ten- 
der mind of the mother. 

There were as yet no roads opened, nothing more than 
Indian paths. The New England emigrants in coming, 
found scarcely no roads after crossing the Hudson river 
lhe route from the east was by the Catskill ; west of 
the Catskill to Acre was thirteen miles, where, at the 
toe the Mr. Whitneys came in, Joseph Shaw and Capt. 
Irowbridge resided. Both of these persons afterwards 
removed into this country. From Acre to the top of 
tne Uatskill Mountain was a distance often miles, where 
there was another white inhabitant; from thence to 
Windham, then known as Pataron, were one or two 
more families ; thence about ten miles to Schoharie Kill • 
three miles beyond this, two brothers resided ; thence 
three miles, Mr. More resided; the father of John F 
P ?J e n x° w 0CCU Pjing his P^ce ; from More's to Harpers- 
held, about twenty miles, five or six families had settled : 
trom this place to Franklin, about thirty-five miles, the 
families of the Mr. Whitneys were the first that attempt- 
ed a passage with wagons; from Franklin to Ouleout, 
eight miles, was a settlement; thence to the mouth of 
Jie Unadilla, where a few families were settled; thence 
town to Oquago, now Windsor, were five or six families ; 
imong them, Harper and Hotchkiss. Following down 
he Susquehanna, the Mr. Whitneys found at the Great 



50 Annals of Binghamton. 

Bend two or three families more. On the Chenango, 
resided the families that have already been mentioned ; 
and at the Forks there resided a Mr. Gallup ; but be- 
yond the Forks, either on the Chenango or Tioughnioga, 
there were no white inhabitants ; from the TJnadilla to 
this place there was only an Indian trail. 

The roads that were first opened, were merely the In- 
dian paths taken and followed where they were eligible, 
and the fallen logs, the underbrush, and so many of the 
saplings cut out of the way as would admit a wagon to 
pass; curving when large trees. interposed. Roads of 
this description in a few years were laid, or rather cut, 
to some distance on both sides of the Chenango, general- 
ly where they now run ; and also on the village side of 
the Susquehanna, both above and below the village. In 
1788 a sleigh road was opened to the Unadilla. 

Conveying their grain to mill, which was, at first, the 
chief business that took them from home, was per- 
formed through the medium of canoes upon the river. 
Their nearest place to get grinding done was either 
at Tioga Point, or rather three miles this side, at 
Shepherd's Mills, a distance of forty miles ; or else they 
must traverse the distance of seventy miles up the Sus- 
quehanna to Wattles' Ferry. These jaunts would occu- 
py a week, and sometimes a fortnight. A considerable 
portion of their corn, however, was pounded, and thus 
converted into samp, by the simple machinery of a stump 
hollowed out for a mortar, and a pestle suspended by a 
sweep. 

The Indians raised corn and potatoes, from whom 
seed was procured; but seed for other growing was 
brought from the Hudson. Flour, what little was had, 
was brought from the Hudson, or brought up the Sus- 
quehanna in canoes from Wyoming. 

Many of the conveniences, however, and some of the? 
luxuries of life, in a few years arose to take the place^ of 
the partial or entire destitution of those things whichi 
are considered essential even to a moderate share of the 
enjoyments of life. And it is only iu anticipation of 1 



Annals of Binghamtoru 51 

brighter days and easier circumstances, that the first set- 
tlers of a new country are willing to incur the hardships 
of a pioneer life. The prospects of our heroes of the 
forest began now to brighten, when they found they 
could raise grain and vegetables of every kind abundant 
for their own consumption, and accumulating, over and 
above, for market. Their cattle also multiplying upon 
their hands and affording a surplus for market. But 
foreign articles, however, of every description, were, as 
yet, principally confined to the lew that were brought 
in at first, as the costly and choice items in the invoice 
of their household stuff. 

So soon as an? found themselves able, they were for. 
ward to erect mills; as their great utility and need had 
been fully felt A saw mill was built in "i 788, on Castle 
creek, owned by Henry French. This was the first in 
the country; and in i?90, the first grist mill was built 
on Fitch's creek, now in the town of Oonklin.* 

Besides these already mentioned, in the first or second 
season, came John Miller, Esq., his son-in-law Mr. Moore, 
and Mr. Luce, and settled on the east side of the Chen- 
ango river, where the new bridge crosses that river.f 
These men and their families were originally from New 
Jersey. They had the beautiful, though fated country of 
Wyoming in view, when they started from home ; but here 
they remained only a short time ; the conflicting state 
of things urged them to leave. Mr. Miller appears to 
have been the earliest magistrate in the settlement He 
had acted in that capacity in New Jersey. He was also 
a member of the Presbyterian church, and had the rep- 
utation here of being pious ; eminently so. While the 
country was without a regular ministry, he was in the 
habit of conducting public worship on the Sabbath, 
which was held uniformly at Samuel Harding's who 

* On the land now owned by the heirs of Edward Y. Park, Esq., 
and now (1872) in the town of Kirkwood. 

f The bridge just above where the Syracuse railroad crosses 
the Chenango ri ver. 
3* ' 



,'>;3 A 11 mils of DVlWlldftltOU* 

lived win t«' ( lapt. Da Forest; now docs.* JIc and his 
daughters would walk down on the Sabbath, a distance 
of four miles. 

In the summer of 1780, a very considerable accession 
was made by persons who settled both upon the valley 
of the Susquehanna and that of the Chenango. Daniel 
Hudson settled between Captain Leonard's and Colonel 
Rose's, f He was Major and afterward Judge. Jonathan 
Fitch settled Upon the creek that took his name : Mr. 
Fitch was from Wyoming ; was a merchant there, and 
had been Sheriff of the County. He was a man of con- 
siderable native talent, had evidently mingled much 
with men of information, and was polished in his man- 
ners. He was the first representative to the State Leg- 
islature from the new county of Tioga. Some say, how- 
ever, fchat Gen. Patterson WllO settled in early days on 
the Onondaga, at what is called now Whitney's Point, 
was the earliest representative of* the county. 

Mr. Howe, Baptist minister, came in the third sum- 
mer, and settled where Deacon Stow now lives. J He of- 
ficiated in his sacred capacity after his settlement, and 
was successful in gathering and forming a church, con- 
. i * < i 1 1 ; * al, fin -i of leu <>i twelve persons. These were said 
to be principally the fruits of a revival which took place 
under his ministry. He, however, notwithstanding his 
success in gathering a church of so goodly a number for 
that early day, stayed but a very few years. He w r as suc- 
ceeded by Elder Fisk. The number of members never 
increased much beyond its first amount, but rather di- 
minished and continued to dwindle until about the year 
1800, when it became extinct. This was the earliest 
Christian society. 

There was also a Duleh Reformed church established! 



* Tho present residence of Sturges Cnrv. opposite the fair 
(ground. 

| On the farm subsequently owned by Judge TT. S. Gfi'lswold. 

\ At, or near the junction Of Prospect Hill road and the Chvntuv 
gfi river r«an\ 



ilHldl:. of Hi itifll, (niloit 

jn about the year L708, through the orHoial labors <>r 

Mr. KmiI<-\\ m, Ihildi Ifrloi in<<| miiiir.liT. 



CHAPTER v. 
ii- lias been already observed, that the eondtu t oi the 

IimIiiiii:, Inward", Ili<- fuel, Uplilol'S WaS, 111 the main, |>a 
nlir . ; SO far SO. imlird, aS <<> rdipyp I In- l:ill<r from any 

distressing anxiety as to their personal safety ; especially, 

flflpr a, unllirirnl liuir had I>ppii allowed for the manif:;! 

at ion of those feelings) which evidently existed, with 
slight and occasional exceptions, in the minds of botli 
parties. The Endians wer@ mure than negatively pacific 
in their deportment ; they are said to have been inclined 

fcO <!»«• Horipfy of I lie wliihr.. Tiny ark nowlrd^ed their 

superiority without apparently being jealous of It, <>■- 
hating it. Ef they felt aggrieved, they were free i<> make 
It known to them, to liave >< if possible, peaceably ad« 
Justed, a,, they could tall< intelligible English, they 
would mingle morg or less with their white brethremes 
pecially when the time or the. weather suspended their 
labors. The ohildren of tlm white population would of 
ini play wiiii the Endian papooses. Those who were 
children then, ji n< i yd, living, say they have played with 
iiir Endian ohildren many an hour. Some of the plays 
had been handed down in tin? line of Endian ancestry, 
und some in the line of Atmerioan or English ancestry. 
The plays of ohildren an yery ancient. Borne of those 
mow extant, and very common, were known to the Grre 
ician and Roman ohildren. 
The exceptions to peaceful eonduol on th§ part of the 

Indian:: l.lnil.Jirr ninil k.ihm] |»y Hip parly ,'«lll< ii, arp hill 

few, though somewhat interesting \ and therefore may 



54 Annals of Binghamton. 

be mentioned. One is mentioned by Col. Eose. He says. 
lie came in one afternoon from work, and found an In- 
dian, whom lie well knew, in the house, standing before 
his wife who was combing her hair, which was hanging 
down before her eyes, so that she did not observe the 
Indian. He stood with his knife, which they almost in- 
variably carried with them, in his hand and pointing it 
towards her breast. Col. Eose, observing it, spoke with 
alarm, with earnestness, and with not a little anger, and 
demanded what he meant ? The Indian turned away 
with a laugh, and said he only wanted something to eat. 
The Col. thinks the Indian did not intend to hurt his 
wife, but only to frighten her, that she might the more 
readily comply when he should ask for food. 

Another instance is mentioned by Mr. Abraham Be- 
vier, relating to his father. His father, he says, was 
returning from the village, which at this time, it seems, 
had begun to be built up, and was accosted by an Indian, 
whom he well knew, and whom he had met with in the 
village, and treated with some liquor he had been buying, 
and was then carrying home. The Indian knew he had 
the liquor on board his wagon, hailed him as he passed, 
and asked for more. Mr. Sevier, thinking, as we have a 
right to suppose, that the Indian had had already enough, 
whipped up his horses, with the design of escaping from 
his importunity. But the Indian, laying hold of the 
wagon's wheel, to prevent its going on, was partly thrown 
under it, and, it may be, more or less hurt. On leaving 
the wagon he took a circuit into the woods, under his 
full speed, and when he had attained a sufficient com- 
pass, as he supposed, to come out ahead of the wagon, 
he came down to the road in order to head Mr. Bevier ; 
but not being soon enough to reach the wagon, which 
Mr. Bevier shoved with the speed of his horses, he, in a 
rage, brandished his knife ; showing the former what he 
would have done, had he got hold of of him. It is most 
probable, however, that the conduct and manifiested rage 
of the Indian is to be attributed, on this occasion, to the 
effects of inebriation, rather than to native ferocity. 



Annals of Binghamton, 55 

Mr. William Rose, son of Col. Rose, relates an anecdote 
of himself : When a small boy, he, with two other boys 
were playing down by the river side, when they spied 
some Indians passing at a little distance. Supposing 
themselves not seen by them, as boys are too apt to do^ 
commenced an insulting halloa to them, The Indians' 
immediately made for them through the bushes, which 
young William observing, U p and scampered ; the other 
boys kept themselves hid. One of the Indians took after 
Jimi. He was about a mile from home. He ran with 
all his speed, and the Indian near behind him, and would 
now and then say, in this hard contested race, "barm by 
me catch em Yankee." When he got to his father's 
door he fell, almost lifeless, into the house. The Indian 
observing him safely arrived at home, turned and went 
back. Mr. Rose supposes the Indians did this to pun. 
jsh, and that very justly, his impertinence, 

There is an ingredient which runs through the entire 
history of this "scattered and pealed" people, especially 
that part of it which relates to their proximity and rela- 
tion to white people, that is appropriate! v calculated to 
touch our sympathies. I allude to the repeated wrongs 
they have received from civilised and Christian white 
men : and also to the fact that they are withering away 
from the face of a civilised population, and disappearing 
fast from the earth, Their constant diminution and 
prospective annihilation arise principally from, two 
causes: the moral impossibility of their amalgamating 
with European descent, and the cupidity of white men 
for their lands. 

As a practical exemplification of what has just been 
stated, we might instance the manner in which their 
Castle farm, the gmall reserve they made to themselves, 
was obtained from them. 

In about the year 1792 or 1793, an individual by the 
name of Patterson, living in the neighborhood, and ac~ 
quainteol with the Indians—whether at his own instiga- 
tion or induced by some one of the Magiaoiui setts oom». 
pany, is not known—undertook with a good deal of ar- 



56 Annah of Jiinglumton, 

tifice, to get the farm out of their hands. He went to 
the Indians at the Castle, and made himself very familiar 
and sociable with them. He brought with him a silver 
mounted rifle, which he knew would gain their admira- 
tion and excite their cupidity. Abraham Antonio,* the 
son of the chief, was smitten with a desire for it, He en- 
deavored to purchase it, making such offers as he could 
afford. But Patterson put him off, telling him he did 
not wish to sell it ; or setting such a price upon it as he 
knew was beyond the power of Abraham immediately to 
command. iVfter he had sufficiently prepared the way 
for himself, he proposed to the young chief, that if he 
would engage to give him so many bear skins, he would 
let him have the rifle, This the prince complied with, 
A note was required on the part of Patterson, with the 
son and father's name subscribed, that the skins should 
he delivered against a specified time. Abraham hesitat- 
ed as to such a course, as he did not understand such, a 
mode of business. He therefore asked his father as to 
the propriety, who told his son it was a common mode 
of doing business with the whites, Patterson then pro- 
fessedly wrote a note, specifying the number of skins, 
and read it off to the father and son accordingly, who 
both signed their names. But instead of writing a note, 
he wrote a deed for the Castle farm, This deed, with 
the father and son's signature, he took to the Boston 
company, and boasted of his success, 

When the Indians came to hud that they had, un- 
knowingly, conveyed away their farm and settlement, 
through the artifice and treachery of this man, they 
swore vengeance upon him. They retained a sense of 
the wrong, unabated, until the perpetration of the deed 
had, in their estimation, received its merited punish- 
ment, for which, it seems, an opportunity w T as afterward 
found. For, previously to Wayne's expedition against 
the Indians of Ohio, which took place in 1794, Abrabam 
Antonio, wdio was decidedly of a warlike disposition, had 
gone into Ohio to join his brethren in arms there, While 

# Pometim^ called the Prince, 



Annals of Binghamton. 57 

there, either by accident, or by his indefatigable search 
and enquiry, he obtained intelligence respecting Patter- 
son, who bad moved out into this country. He hastened 
to wreak his vengeance upon him. He found him, and 
massacred both him and his family. At least, such were 
the inferences drawn by the neighborhood after Abra- 
ham's return. He confessed he found him. 

Col. Rose remarks that Abraham was the only Indian 
he was afraid of; and gives an anecdote to show the 
reason he had to fear him. After the village — the old 
village most probably— began to be settled, and afforded 
a market for such articles as they had to dispose of, the 
Indians often went down to trade ; and received in re- 
turn rifles sometimes, hatchets, knives, blankets, trinkets, 
together with whisky; of which latter, it is well known, 
they were very fond. 

Upon a time, when several of them had been to the 
village, the old chief Antonio himself, his son Abraham, 
and Seth the interpreter, composing a part of the com- 
pany, they all stopped, on their way back, at Col. Rose's. 
He set a long bench, which then served instead of chairs, 
before the fire for them. He observed, as they came in, 
that several of them were intoxicated ; and Abraham, 
he soon discovered, more than any of the rest. The old 
chief was sober, and so was Seth. *He observed, also, that 
Abraham was angry with his father, and had been, it ap- 
peared, quarrelling with him on the way; probably be- 
cause the old chief had reproved him for getting drunk, 
and for his impertinent conduct on the way. All took 
their seats upon the long bench before the' fire, except 
Abraham, who kept walking the floor. Col. Rose kept 
his eye upon him, for he did not know what his design 
might be ; apprehensive, however, that he would attack 
his father, as some Avords, in a menacing tone, would 
now and then, be uttered. Directly he saw him spring 
upon his father's back, as he sat immediately before the 
fire, and thrust him into it. But the Col. was almost as 
quick, and drew him out. Abraham then ran and seized 
an ax, standing in one corner of the room ; but the Col. 



58 Annals of Binghamton. 

wrested this from him. The Col. then said, we must tie 
him. Get a rope they, said Seth ; who by this time had 
laid hold of him too. A rope was procured. They suc- 
ceeded in tying him. Col. Eose then sat down by the 
side of him, with his arm laid upon him, and in a feeling 
and friendly manner, began to reason and expostulate 
with him, upon his outrageous conduct, and his despe- 
rate attempt to burn his father. Abraham soon began 
to cool down, and to feel the force of these reproofs. He 
melted into tears and promised to behave himself with 
becoming propriety if they would untie him. He was 
set at liberty, and fulfilled his promise. He behaved 
himself for that time. But Col Rose said he had reason 
to think that the young prince owed him a grudge for 
his interference ; and was afraid to meet him alone, es- 
pecially after it was strongly suspected that he was guilty 
of the murder of a white man in Lisle. He murdered 
his own child, it is said, commanding his wife to throw 
the child into the fire, merely for its crying. 

As it most generally turns out in the course of events 
— which, after all our skepticism, are guided by an over- 
ruling providence — that a violent or bloody course of 
life is terminated by violent or bloody means ; so in the 
case of Abraham Antonio, the son of so mild and pacific 
a father. He died by violent hands. He was hung, 
not many years ago, in Madison, for murdering a 
man there. Abraham, notwithstanding he was cruel 
and revengeful, yet was well behaved ordinarily, and an 
Indian of more than ordinary abilities. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Ik the year 1791 or 1792, the present Gen. Joshua 
Whitney was sent by his father to Philadelphia, with a 
drove of cuttle, seventeen in number ; the greater part 
of the way being- nothing but a wilderness. While this 
undertaking shows the enterprise of the father, and the 
ready obedience and courage, if not equal enterprise of 
the son m committing himself alone, for he went alone, 
to the dreariness and waste of an almost pathless wilder- 
ness ; it also, m the details of it, develops the many ob- 
stacles that lay in the way of sending their surplus cat- 
tle and produce to market; and also of importing oack 
the goods which are to be obtained only from some sea- 
port town or city. 

Young Whitney, then only about twenty years of ao-e 
started late in the fall. He went by the way of the Great 
Bend; thence to the Salt Lick farm, six miles beyond ; 
thence through the Nine Partners, to a place called Hop- 
Bottom, on the Tunkhannock Creek; thence, with no 
road but marked trees, to Thorn-Bottom, 25 miles from 
the Nine Partners. The habitations of men to be met 
with only about where it was necessary to stay through 
the night. And at these places there was nothing for 
the cattle to subsist upon but browsing in the woods. 
Consequently, m ranging for food through the night, 
they were subject to straying so far as not to be found 
by the young herdsman. Bv his vigilance, however, 
though he had often no little trouble to gather his num- 
ber together m the morning, he lost none. From Thorn- 
Bottom he proceeded to the Lackawanna ; thence ten 



no 



inncth of Binghcimton, 



miles to Wilkcsbcrre ; from this place he drove to one 
branch of the Lehigh, twenty miles. CJpon this part <>f 
his journey his cattle became poisoned by eating laurel, 
which operated upon them so severely by salivation and 
otherwise, that he was obliged in suspend his journey 
for more than a week, at a small Dutch settlement three 
miles on this side of I he Pocono Mountains. The night 
previously to his arriving at this settlement he was so 
nearly drained <>f his funds by an exorbitant charge of 
his miscreant landlord, who charged him lour or live 
limes the usual hill, that he was obliged to write from 
(his place to his father, stating his circumstances. His 
father came to his relief. His Dutch host and family, 
mihI indeed the whole neighborhood, could scarcely un- 
derstand a word of English, so that he was obliged to 
communicate by signs, as well as he could. After his 
father cane and replenished his purse, with his cattle 

well, and his courage renewed, he proceeded on |o Phil- 
adelphia, by I he way of what is called I he Wind (Jap, and 
through Nazareth. 

Alter disposing of his cattle, in returning, he was to 
bring hack mercantile goods ; which, after procuring, he 
put on hoard Pennsylvania wagons, and brought them 
to Middletown, ninety miles from Philadelphia. VI Mid- 
dletown they were put on hoard of what was called a. 
Durham boat, pushed by six hands. All I he way from 
this place to Owego, a distance of 855 miles, this boat 
was urged by the Sturdy Strength of six men, where force 
was in requisition the most o\' the lime, in consequence 
o\' (he strong current (hat was opposing them ; often 
obliged lo he out himself midway in iUc water, with 
cakes of ice floating against him, and I hat too for hours 
together, lie arrived at Owego a little before Christmas. 

Nothing could heller illustrate the difficulties and the 

expense which niusl he encountered to transmit their ef- 
fects to market and merchandize hack. 

Every newly sell led place or country is at first, without 
resources o\' its own, and must depend on some foreign 

man. An intercourse between the two must take place, 



Amuili of Binghamton. 61 

or there will be no growth of the former, much less any 
sources of wealth and improvement. And those who 
lead the way in opening an intercourse with foreign 
places of trade, must have the credit of originating the 
sources, first of the 4 necessaries and conveniences <>i' life, 
and (lien of the wealth and improvement of" Hie place. 

Mr. Whitney the elder, and father of Joshua, of whom 
we have just spoken, was not spared long to his family 
and neighborhood, and to witness the growing improve- 
ments that were destined to take place around him. He 
died of yellow (ever on his return from Philadelphia, 
where lie had been to purchase goods. By a previous 
arrangement, his son was to meet, him at Wilksbarre 
with boats to bring on the goods. When he got there 

he found a letter from his father, informing him of his 

sickness at a, public house at Wind Gap, and with word 
for him to come immediately to him. By riding very 
early and late, the next, day Ik- arrived there, just, in time 

to see his hither alive, and to close his eyes after tin; 
Spirit had lied; which he did with his own hands. He 
found the landlord and his family much alarmed at the 

infections nature; of \\w disease his father had, and even 

advised him not, to go in where his father was. To this 
he paid no attention. The landlord, after death had ta- 
ken place, insisted upon the old gentleman's being buried 
that same night, lest- the infection, with which the dis- 
ease was supposed to he fraught, should spread. This, 
through the force of circumstances, he consented to. A 
coffin was hurriedly made, and the son literally carried 
out and buried his own father, with the help only of two 
Hegro servants. 

In early times, when the country was first, settled, and 
for a long time since, shad ran up the Snsipichanna in 

great numbers as far Binghamton, and even some to the 

Source of the river. Thousands of them were caught 
from year to year, in this vicinity, especially at the three 

^re;i,f, fishing places, at Onion, opposite Judge Merser- 
eau's ; at, this place, [Binghamton] opposite the dry 
bridge; and upon the point of an Island at Oquago. 



62 Annals of Bingliamton. 

There were two other places of less note ; one on the 
Chenango, opposite Mr. Bevier's the other was at the 
month of Snake creek.* The time that the shad would 
arrive here, and at which time they began to be caught, 
would generally be about the last of April, nnd the fish- 
ing would continue through the month of May. It was 
made quite a business by some, and after the country 
was sufficiently filled in with inhabitants to create a de- 
mand for all that could be caught, the business became 
a source of considerable profit. During a few of the first 
runs, the shad would sell for eight and ten pence a piece ; 
and after this the price generally went down as low as 
three pence per shad. Several hundred would some- 
times be caught at one draught. Herring also ran up at 
the same time with the shad ; but as it was no object to 
catch them while a plenty of shad could be caught, their 
nets were so constructed as to admit them through the 
meshes. 

The nets employed were from sixteen to thirty rods 
long ; and each net employed from six to eight men to 
manage them. Their time for sweeping was generally 
in the night, as the shallowness of the water would 
not allow them to fish in the day time. Again the 
shad would in the night run up on the riffles to 
sport ; which gave to the fisherman another advantage. 
They would make their hauls the darkest nights, with- 
out lights, either in their boats or on shore. They had 
their cabins or tents to lodge in; and would be notified 
when it was time to haul, by the noise the shoal of fish 
would make in sporting on the shallow places. 

The shad seemed never to find either a place or time 
at which to turn and go back. Even after depositing 
their eggs, they would continue to urge their way up 
stream, until they had exhausted their entire strength ; 
which would, being out of their salt-w T ater element, after 
a while fail them. The shores, in consequence, would be 
strewed with their dead bodies, through the summer, 
upon which the wild animals would come down and 

*In the town of Conklin. 



Annals of Bingliamton. 63 

feed. Their young fry would pass down the stream in 
the fall, having grown now to the length of three or four 
inches, in such numbers as to choke up the eel-weirs. 

They have discontinued running op so far as this, for 
twelve or fifteen years;* consequently none within that 
time have been caught. The numerous mill-dams and 
mills on the streams, together with the number of rafts 
that pass down in the spring, undoubtedly deter them 
from coming. 

As we have spoken of fishing in early days, which was 
so different from what it is at present, so will we speak 
of the hunting of early times. 

It is allowed by the old hunters that wild animals 
were uncommonly plenty here when the country was 
first settled. Martens were plenty, and caught in dead- 
falls for their fur. Panthers were frequently met with 
and shot by hunters. Bears f were numerous and large. 
Wild cats were also found. But deer, which may be con- 
sidered the staple commodity with hunters in a new 
country, were decidedly numerous. They would be seen 
sometimes twenty and thirty in a flock. Of this species 
of game gieat numbers were yearly killed. There ap- 
pear to have been no wild turkeys found here when the 
country, was first settled. A solitary flock, some twenty- 
five or thirty years ago appear to have wandered from 
its own native forests, and was observed in the neigh- 
borhood of Oquago by Deacon Stow, who was at that 
day a distinguished hunter. He dropped his work in 
the field, and obtaining a gun from the nearest neighbor, 
lie managed to kill one, before the flock got entirely out 
! of his way. It remained in the neighborhood forest, un- 
til the turkeys were all shot, except the last one, which 
was caught in a trap. 

There were several modes of hunting the deer. Be- 
sides the ordinary way of pursuing them by daylight 
with hounds, the hunters would resort to the deer-licks, 
of which there were many, and ascertaining, as nearly 

* Since 1820. 

f Wolves also were plenty. 



64 Annals of Bingliamton. 

as they could, where they stood to lap the water, they 
would set their gnus so as to take the deer when they 
came by night to drink. This they would do before 
night-fall, and then remain by their gnus and watch. 
They could hear the deer when in the act of drinking, 
by the noise they made in lapping the water. This was 
their time to let off their guns, which they often would 
do, several together. If they heard the deer fall, they 
went and cut its throat, or their throats, as they some- 
times shot more than one at a discharge, and brought 
them off the ground. They would then set their guns 
again, and wait for the well-known sound of the lapping 
to be renewed. They would continue their vigilance ac- 
cording to their success ; sometimes till twelve and tw r o, 
and sometimes till quite the dawn of the next morning. 
The dressing of the game was ordinarily reserved till the 
next clay. 

Another mode pursued by the hunters was, to take 
the deer when they came down late in the summer or 
fall to feed upon the sedge or eel grass * which grows in 
the river. Two men would get into a skiff, or boat of 
any kind that would answer the purpose, in which there 
was a platform in the fore-part covered with turf: upon 
this they would kindle a brisk fiiv, and one would sit in 
the fore-part, near the tire, with his rifle in his hand ; 
the other would sit in the hinder-part and impel and 
guide the bont with a single paddle, taking care to make 
no noise either in the water or at the side of the boat. 
The deer, at seeing the moving tire, would raise their 
heads and stamp with their feet, without moving much 
from their place, even at quite a near approach of the 
boat. This would enable the hunters to come as near to 
theii game as they wished, and tc make sure their aim. 
Sometimes they would take their stand upon the shore 
and watch by moonlight. It has been remarked by 
these hunters, and probably observed by a great many 

* This is said to be a mistake as to the deera feeding on eel- 
grass ; they do not eat the eel grass, but come to the streams 
to drink. 



Annate of Ihnyhamton. 65 

others, that deer when seen by the light of fire, in a cer- 
tain position, look white. 

A story is told of two of the early settlers of Oquago, 
one a Dutchman by the name of Hendrickson, the other 
a Yankee by the name of Merryman. They had been in 
the habit of going together to a little island in the Sus- 
quehanna, called Fish Island, to watch for deer, with 
the understanding always, that each was to share equally 
in the game. One fine evening, while the moon was 
shining in its fullness, it occurred to the Dutchman that 
he would go down to the Island and watch for deer, with- 
out letting his brother Yankee know of it. The same 
thought occurred to the Yankee, They both went down 
to the island and took their stations accidentally, at each 
end. In the course of the evening, while waiting for 
deer, to their apprehension, two made their appearance 
and entered the river, and passing by the upper end of 
the Island were fired upon by the Yankee, whose station 
happened to be at that end ; the deer bounded, with a 
mighty splash, down stream ; and passing the lower end 
of the island were fired upon by the Dutchman, whose 
shot took effect and brought one down. As the latter 
went out to drag in his game, the Yankee called out and 
claimed the deer, as he had tired first. The Dutchman 
muttered some objection, and continued, wading. When 
he came up to the weltering and dying animal, to his 
surprise, instead of a large deer, which he was in full ex- 
pectation of, behold ! he had killed one of his neighbor's 
young cattle — a tAyo year old heifer ; and which he read- 
jly recognized. "Well, den," said he to his companion, 
who was making his way down to him, " you may have 
de deer; it is yours, I believe." The Yankee, when he 
came to find also what had been done, and feeling they 
were both about equally implicated, proposed that they 
should, send the animal down stream, and say nothing 
about the matter, as they could not afford to pay for it. 
The Dutchman— and here we see the characteristic hon- 
esty of the one, as well as the dishonesty or disingenu- 
onsne-ss of the other— objected ; saying, they would take 



60 Annals of Binqliamton. 

it to the owner, and tell him how they came to shoot it; 
and as it would, when dressed, be very good eating, he 
did not think they should be charged very high for the 
accident. While they were disputing which course they 
should pursue, they heard at some little distance near 
the shore, or upon it, a noise and difficult breathing, as. 
of an animal dying ; they went to it, and partly hid 
among weeds and grass, they found, to their further dis- 
may, another heifer, belonging to another neighbor, in 
her last struggles, having received her death-wound from 
the first shot. The Yankee now insisted, with greater 
importunity, that they should send them both down 
stream, as they could never think of paying for them 
both. But the Dutchman as strenuously objected, and 
proposed that the Yankee should go the next morning 
to the owner of one, and he would go the owner of the 
other, and make proposals of restitution on as favorable 
terms as they could obtain. The Yankee finally acced- 
ed ; and each went the next morning to hi 3 respective 
man. The Yankee made a reluctant acknowledgement 
of what had been done the night before, and showed but 
little disposition to make restitution, The owner was 
nearly in a rage for the loss of his fine heifer, and was 
hard in his terms of settlement. While the Dutchman, 
as if to be rewarded for his honesty, found his neighbor^ 
when he had announced what he had done, and propos- 
ed to make satisfactory restitution, as ready to exact no 
more from him than to dress the animal, and to take 
half of the meat home for his own use, 

Another distinguished hunter of these early times, and 
one that was considered pre-eminent above all the oth- 
ers for markmanship and daring feats, was Jotham Cur- 
tis, of Windsor, an uncle to the Mr. Rexfor-ds, druggists 
in the village of Binghamton. An anecdote or two re- 
lated of him, will best express his celebrity, 

He went out of an afternoon to a deer-lick, and hav« 
ing killed a deer, he dressed it and hung the body upon 
a tree, bringing only the skin home with him. This he 
threw upon a work-bench in an apartment of the house 



Annals of BingJiamton* 0. 

he used as a shop. In the night he was awakened by a 
noise which he supposed to proceed from a dog at his 
deer-skin. He sprung up and opened the door that led 
into his shop ; and about over the work -bench he beheld 
the glare of two eye-balls, which he knew— so versed was 
he in the appearance of such animals— to be those of a 
panther. Without taking his eye from those of the ani- 
mal, he called to his wife to light a pine stick, and to 
hand it to him, with his rifle, which she did. With the 
torch in his left hand, and the gun resting upon the 
same arm, he took his aim between the eyes, and shot 
the panther dead upon the bench. It is related to have 
been a very large one. It had entered the shop through 
an open window. 

He was one day hunting, and came across two cubs. 
He caught one, and seated himself by a tree, with his 
back close to it, that he might be sure to see the old one 
when she should come up. He took the young one be- 
tween his knees and commenced squeezing its head to 
make it cry, which he knew would be likely to bring up 
the old one. In a short time she was seen coming with full 
speed, with her hair turned forward, an indication of 
rage, and her month wide open. He waited deliberately, 
till she was near enough, and then, with his unerring 
fire, he brought her to the ground. Some one asked him 
afterward, what he supposed would have been the con- 
sequence had his gun missed fire ? Oh ! he said, he did 
not allow it to miss in such emergencies. 

As anecdotes of this nature are not uninteresting, and 
serve to illustrate the nature and habits of wild animals, 
we will relate one more of Deacon Stow, and an older 
brother of his. 

They went out to a deer-lick, called by the hunters 
Basin Lick, in the afternoon, with the design of setting 
their guns at night. They, however, previously took 
stations, the brother at the Basin Lick, and Deacon Stow, 
then but a lad, at a station about twenty rods distance, 
to watch for deer, which often came on to the licks to- 
wards night. While at their respective posts, about sun- 



68 Annals of Binghamton. 

down, Deacon Stow heard an uncommon noise, more re- 
sembling the squealing of pigs than anything he could 
think of; and directly he saw a she bear jump upon the 
root of a large hemlock tree that had been blown down, 
at the top of which he was sitting, with three large cubs 
close behind her. She appeared to be about weaning 
them, and her refusing to let them suck, was the occa- 
sion of their making so much noise. As she mounted 
the trunk at the root, she turned and was making her 
way towards the top, putting in jeopardy the life of the 
lad, who was just preparing to fire, when the brother, 
who heard the noise also, and understood what it was, 
had hastened down to the place, fired his piece, and 
dropped the bear from the trunk ; and then threw his 
hat and made a loud outcry to frighten the cubs up into 
the trees. He succeeded in treeing them; but the old 
bear, who was only wounded, had made off. They shot 
two of the cubs, but the third, dropping himself from 
the tree upon which he was, made his escape; the 
younger brother not being allowed by the elder to shoot. 
This he had the precaution to do, that they might have 
one loaded gun, in case the old bear should return upon 
them. 



CHAPTER VII. 



The earliest christian society that was established 
within the bounds of the settlement, was, as has already 
been observed, a Baptist church, formed under the min- 
istration of Elder Howe, a very early settler in the place. 

The next christian society was a Dutch Reformed 
church, established in about the year 1798, through the 
official labors of Mr. Manly, a Dutch Reformed minister. 

The building occupied by the Dutch Reformed con- 
gregation, as a meeting house, was a dwelling house, the 
chamber of which was fitted with conveniences for pub- 
lic worship. Mr. Manly, the minister, with his family, 
lived in the lower part. The building stood about a mile 
above the village, on the Chenango, east bank, a little 
behind or back of Mr. Eben. Green's. It is yet in exist- 
ence, and would not be distinguished from a barn, for 
which it is now used. Mr. Manly preached alternately 
at this place and at Union, and thus divided his labors 
between the two places. His preaching and labors were 
continued to these congregations but a few years; he 
left, and they were without a minister for some length 
of time. Their next clergymen was a Mr. Palmer. He 
revived the church and augmented his number. 

There Avere a few Presbyterians in the settlement, but 
not enough to form a church, till after the building of 
the village. And when their numbers and interest be- 
came sufficient to form a church and congregation, the 



Dutch Reformed church differing so little from the Pres- 
byterian, merged into it. A number, however, that were 
members of the Dutch Reformed church, removed to the 
Genesee, 



?0 Annals of Bingltamton. 

The state of morals from the first settlement to the 
building of the village, differed in no material respect 
from what is commonly exemplified in other new settle- 
ments. We might except, what is certainly natural and 
important, that the most of the original settlers coming 
from a land then noted for " steady habits," gave a sanc- 
tion and tone to good morals, which might not other- 
wise have been felt. While the inhabitants were few and 
scattered, they were under that moral restraint and mo- 
tive to virtue, with greater freedom from incentives to 
vice, which are found to exist chiefly in the domestic or 
family relation; especially when that relation is exempt 
from neighborhood broils, and more important collisions ; 
and when the general intercourse is no greater than 
what is friendly and cordial. 

As the population increased, morals degenerated. The 
influence of the example of the many, is always bad. 
Hunting, with other idle and dissolute means of passing 
the Sabbath, became prevalent on that day. Intem- 
perance crept in and prevailed the more when men could 
meet together in any considerable numbers. And as 
men became more numerous, they grew more selfish ; 
the bitter fruits of which were more and more appar- 
ent and felt. Society became divided into distinct class- 
es ; trifling distinctions were made among its members 
calculated only to foster the pride of some, and the mor- 
tification or chagrin, or hatred of others. The charm of 
fellow-feeling that bound them formerly together was 
now broken. 

The first school house stood near the Dutch Reformed 
church, and Col. Rose taught the first school. After a 
little while this school house was abandoned, and anoth- 
er one built near Mr. Bevier's. Another school house 
was built upon the west side of the Chenango river, 
nearly opposite. There was but one school each winter; 
some winters passing without any. Their teachers, with- 
out any exception, were for a series of years, of their own 
number; and not young men, but men of families. Af- 
ter Col. Rose, a son of Gen. Patterson taught. After him, 



Annals of Binghamton. 71 

a Mr. Fay. One Mr. Cook, who came with the Be- 
viers from Ulster county, taught a number of winters. 
After him, a Mr. Slighter. 

In 1791, that portion of Montgomery comity which 
is now embraced within the comities of Broome, Tioga 
and Chemung, was set off as one comity, under the name 
of Tioga; and Elmira, otherwise Newtown, and Bing- 
hamton, at that time called Chenango Point, were con- 
stituted each half-shires. Jonathan Fitch and Joshua 
Mersereau were appointed Judges. Judge Whitney was 
appointed a few years afterward. Morgan Lewis, who 
was afterward Governor of the State, organized and con- 
ducted the first court under the new county's author- 
ity and provision. It was held for that time at a Mr. 
Spaulding's, who lived on the road to Union, a little be- 
yond, or west of, Oliver Crocker s present residence. Af- 
ter this one, the courts were held, when not held at 
Elmira, at Mr. Whitney's, until they were removed to 
the Court House in Binghamton. 

At the organization of the county, the first judge ap- 
pointed was Gen. John Patterson. His successor in the 
office of first judge .was John Miller. Emanuel Coy ell 
was the third. G. H. Barstow the fourth. Let Burrows 
the fifth ; and G. H. Baldwin the last, before the divi- 
sion of the county, and the formation of Broome. Thom- 
as Nicholson was the first Clerk of Tioga. The records 
of the county were kept a part of the time at Elmira, a 
part of the time at Binghamton, and a part of the time 
at Owego. At the last place the old records of Tioga 
county still remain. 

According to the limits which were fixed to the towns 
into which the new county was divided, that of Chenan- 
go extended from the Chenango river to Port Deposit, 
embracing the greater portion of the eastern part of the 
county. The first town meeting was held at Oquago, 
when Nathan Lane was chosen supervisor, and George 
Harper towm clerk. For several years the town meet- 
ings continued to be held at this place. 

Solomon Moore, who has already been spoken of as 



72 A» Hah of Binghamion. 

among the first settlers, built a log house upon the site 
of the present village, near as can be recollected, where 
Mr. Christopher long after built tbe first house in the 
rise of the village of Binghamton. He afterwards moved 
to Vestal, and after residing there some number of years 
moved back and purchased where his son, John Moore, 
now lives, on the south side of the Susquehanna, nearly 
one mile below the Susquehanna, or, as it is commonly 
denominated, the white bridge. A Mr. Enos, and a Mr. 
Sherwood, settled about one mile below Mr. Moore's ; 
and Mr. Neheiniah and Edward Spalding settled still 
farther down the river. 

Those who came in and settled on the east side of the 
Chenango river, and north of Bingham's Patent, with 
some exceptions, took no title for their land, but merely 
squatted. At first, the proprietorship of the land was 
not much known or recognized. But when it became 
known, and the claims urged by the proprietor or pro- 
prietors, the greater part left and went farther west. 
Capt. Sawtell took a title for his land. The Beviers, 
when they came in, took titles. David Ogden and Capt. 
Quigley, who settled next beyond, or farther up the river, 
took titles from the patent. Beyond these, Joseph Og- 
den, and next, Ezekiel Crocker; then Capt. Buel and 
his son settled ; all took titles for their lands, and all 
within Clinton and Melcher's Patent. John Butler from 
Vermont, settled for a few years on the opposite side of 
the Chenango from Capt. Sawtell's. 

In the year 1798, those Jiving upon the Bingham Pa- 
tent, or the the great majority of them, had not taken 
titles for their land. In this year there was a petition 
drawn up and signed by most of the inhabitants who 
had not as yet taken titles, and sent to Mr. Bingham, 
at Philadelphia. Mr. Ebenezer Park was the bearer of 
this petition. As it is brief, and couched in very re- 
spectful language, it may not be amiss, in order that its 
import may be understood, to insert it : 

" To the Honorable Wm. Bingham : 
A petition from the inhabitants and settlers on said 



Annals of Bingha/mton. 7 13 

Bingham's Patent, on. Susquehanna river, iu the towns 

of Union and Chenango, county of "toga, and State of 

New York, humbly prayeth : 

That whereas we, your petitioners, having been to con- 
siderable expense in moving on said Land and making 
improvements, we pray your honor would grant us three 
lives lease, and we will pay an annual rent Cor the same; 
otherwise, let us know on what terms we can have the 
land, and your petitioners, as dutiful tenants, shall ever 
comply. 

Chenango, Feb. 15, 1 798." 

This petition was signed by thirty-seven persons. A 
few objected, contending thai Bingham had no right to 
the laud. 

As the names of flics*' petitioners, by being in lerted, 
will assist in forming an estimation of I he population at 
that period, as well as afford a knowledge of the inhabi- 
tants who composed it, we shall give them. 

Abraham Sneden and Daniel Sneden, who lived where 
Henry Squires now keeps his public house; Abraham 
Sneden, Junior, who lived where Judson Park now lives; 
William Miller lived where Mr. Earder now lives; Eb- 
enezer Park, the father-in-law of Judge Chamberlain, 
who lived where Era Slow and the elder Mr. Bar tie tt 
now live; Joseph Compton lived a little east, upon the 
same lot; Zachariah Squires and James and Asa Squires 
lived where Mr. Eus3 keeps his public house ; Jam'-, 
Ford lived where Mr. A. ('*. Ransom has lately purchased, 
known by the nam'' of* the Moore farm; Silas ftioore, 
who lived where Mr. Brown now does; Ezra Keelerand 
Ira Keeler, who lived where James Eawley now lives; 
Joseph Lemerick, who lived when Edward Park now 
lives. Robert Poster and Roswell Jay, who lived where 
Judson M. Park owns. NTath.an.iel Taggart, who lived 
where Elias Jones now does; John Carr lived on a part 
of the present farm of Judge Chamberlain; Ar- 
thur Miller lived on the farm where General Whitney 
now lives; Barnabas and Solomon, Wixon, who lived 
on the south side of \\\(: Susquehanna, where 
4 



74 Annals of Binghamton. 

James Evans now lives; Jonathan Dunham, who 
lived where Mr. Brigham lately lived ; Zebulon Moore, 
who lived where James Munsell owns, one mile below the 
village, on the south side of the Susquehanna ; Daniel 
Delano and Levi Bennett lived near Millville ; Samuel 
Bevier occupied a lot upon the Bingham Patent, that 
Arthur Gray afterward purchased ; James Lion lived at 
the ferry, which he kept ; Abraham Carsaw and Wm. 
Brink, who lived on the Kufus Park place ; Silas Hall, 
who lived where the wife of Andrew Moore at present 
lives ; Asher Wickham, who lived where Mr. Brown and 
Lion own; Thomas Cooper, the father of Eansford Coop- 
er, and Walter Slyter, who lived where Deacon Stow 
now lives ; Andrew Cooper, who occupied the flat from 
Col. Lewis' Mills down to the red bridge ; David Comp- 
ton, who lived on the farm and kept the tavern where Mr. 
Finch now lives ; Amos Towsley, who lived on the south 
side of the Susquehanna, opposite where Elias Jones: 
now lives ; Judge Chamberlain lived, though a little af- 
ter the date of the petition, on the lot with his father-in- 
law, Ebeuezer Park, 

Judge William Chamberlain, with his wife, moved 1 
here from Dutchess county, in 1799. His father-in-law* 
also came from the same county. He was appointed Jus- 
tice of the Peace in 1803; w r as appointed Sheriff of the 
.county in 1817^ which office he fell short a little of hold- 
ing the full term of four years ; removed, it appears,' 
through the influence of countervailing politics. After 
this he was appointed Assistant Justice. Held the office 
of Judge of Broome county, for seven or eight years/ 
He has held an office in the Vestry of the Episcopal 
church of Binghamton, either as Warden or Vestryman^ 
nearly ever since that church was organized. 

Before there was any village, there were few stores* 
One important means therefore of obtaining what mighA 
here be termed foreign articles, for a series of years, werr 
from peddlers, who came in and purchased the furs an6 
skins of the inhabitants, and gave them in exchange 
woolen cloths, hats and shoes. 



A finals &f Binghamton. 75 

The first death that occurred In the settlement, was 
that of Mrs. Blunt. She died the first summer of her 
coming into the parts. Her husband had settled up the 
Chenango river on the west side, upon the farm after- 
ward owned by Deacon Stow. She died very suddenly, 
and her death appears to be well remembered by all the 
primitive settlers. The second death that occurred was 
that of a young man by the name of Barker, the son of a 
Mr. Barker who had but just come into the parts, in the 
year 1789, and had taken up a temporary residence with 
a Mr. Hurd, who then resided on the north side of the 
Susquehanna, between Mr. Bartlett's and the river. He 
died suddenly too, of a bilious colic. There was, at this 
time no physician to be called, otherwise he might have 
been saved We shall mention also the third death in 
the place, both because of its early date, and because of 
the more than ordinary sympathy it excited. It was 
chat of a young lady, who had with her father, JNathan- 
lel Lee, and the rest of his family, migrated as early as 
1789 into this country from Great Harrington, in Mas- 
sachusetts. She was about eighteen years of age, beau- 
tiful in person, and possessed of more than ordinary 
accomplishments, having come from a place of polished 
manners. Her father had taken up a temporary resi- 
dence with Mr. Ingersoll, who lived, it will be remem- 
bered, on the west side of the Chenango river, and oppo- 
site the point A few months after their arrival, she 
undertook to cross the Susquehanna upon the ice to 
Mr. Thayer's, who, it will be also remembered, lived 
where Mr. C. Eldredge now does. It was in the latter 
part of the winter season, when the ice had become 
weakened; it broke, and she sunk beneath it to rise a 
lifeless corpse. 

In the year 1793, there was a fever and ague prevailed, 
:from which few escaped ; otherwise a uniform state of 
Jaealth prevailed for many years after the settlement of 
{the country. 

At first there was no public burying ground set off. 
Those families in which death occurred the earliest, bu- 
4* 



76 Annals of Binghamton. 

ried their lost relatives near home, upon their own farms ; 
the places of which would naturally become their family 
burying ground, and the place of interment, in some 
cases, for the immediate neighborhood. 

Mr. Thayer, with several others, was buried upon a 
spot of ground on the bank of the little run that lets 
into the Susquehanna, a short distance above where he 
lived. In consequence of several heavy rains, so much 
of the bank was carried away as to leave bones exposed. 
The bones of Mr. Thayer were disinterred by the same 
means, and carried away by the stream ; no part of 
'them being afterward found but the skull. This was 
sacredly buried in another place. 

There has been observed near the bank of this run, 
for several years back, a monumental stone, rudely cut, 
bearing a date as rudely wrought, of 1795, but the figure 
nine so imperfectly cut, as easily to be taken for the fig- 
ure seven. Thus several have been deceived, and read 
it 1775. Tins being a date so long a time previous to 
the settlement of the country, no one could satisfactorily 
conjecture what burial it was intended to record. The 
stone was very recently found fallen down, and was car- • 
ried to Mr. Brigham's barn, when it was found to read 
1795, with the initials S. H. Thus bringing it within 
the time that the place has been used as a burying; 
ground, an 1 the initials supposed to stand for Sarah 
Hall. There was also found near the stone a coffin with 
two sets of bones ; the bones of one, uncommonly large. 

There are still to be seen the vestiges of a somewhat: 
ancient burying ground near Deacon Stow's, on the 
bank of the river, and about one hundred rods west on 
southwest of his house. This burying ground was com- 
menced about 1798 or 1799. It was then shaded with) 
pitch pine and retired, the road running further fromi 
the river than it does now. The first person buried! 
there was a Mrs. Mansfield, whose husband lived upon] 
the opposite side of the river. There was also a Mrs.; 
Hall, the wife of Silas Hall, and Deacon William Millen 
buried there. 



Annals of Biiiyhamton. V, 

The first burying upon Court Hill was about the year 
1803. Mr. Benjamin Sawtell and Esquire Woodruff 
cleared away the shrub oaks and small pines to make 
rocm for the burial of Mr. John Crosbv, who appears to 
have been nearly the first who was buried there. The 
spot was used as a burying place for the village until 
the several churches had built their respective edifices, 
and apportioned their own burying grounds. 

For two or three years immediately preceding the date 
in which we are writing, chat part of Court Hill occupied 
by the old burial ground, has been in a process of being 
considerably cut down, much below the ordinary depth 
of graves; consequently the remains of many of these 
former dead have been exhumed, and exposed to the 
careless gaze of the living. The remains of several, how- 
ever, had been previously transferred to the other bury- 
ing places of the village, when these places were first ap- 
propriated to this sacred purpose. 

Judge Whitney had a family burying ground in the 
neighborhood of his own dwelling, where many of the 
Whitney family that have left the stage, now repose. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Prior to the settlement either of Union or of the 
Chenango Valley, Col. Hooper, the patentee of the tract 
bearing his name, was sent by Bingham, Cox, and, it 
may be, others, to survey the shores of this part of the 
feusquehanna. He traversed it up and down, in an In- 
dian canoe, managed by a faithful Indian whom he em- 
loyed. He would lie down in the canoe, with an Indian 
lanket thrown over him, and take the courses and dis- 



78 Annals of Binyharibton. 

fences with a pocket compass, m this incumbent posU 
tion. This precaution he took through fear of being 
shot by Indians on the shore. After this survey, a pur- 
chase was made of the Susquehanna valley from the 
Great Bend to Tioga Point. At what precise period the 
patents were obtained is not now known. Thomas Pa- 
tent embraced the Bend, and extended six miles down 
the river; then Bingham's Patent, extending from 
Thomas' western line to some two or three miles beyond 
the village of Binghamton, two miles wide, lying equally 
on both sides of the river. Hooper and Wilson's Patent 
lay next, embracing a part of Union and Vestal, of the 
same width, and lying upon the river plain. This pat- 
ent terminating westward where the line separates 
Broome from Tioga county, was sometime afterward di- 
vided bv the proprietors by a line that ran through the 
centre of the old church in Union, when it stood upon 
its original foundation. The two patentees, at the time 
they made the division, gave to this congregation, which 
was then Dutch Reformed, each seventy acres of land. 
Next to the patent of Hooper and Wilson was that of 
Ooxe's, which extended some miles beyond Owego. 
These gentlemen were of Philadelphia. 

Union and Vestal began to be settled about the next 
year after the vallev of the Chenango was. It may be, 
one or two families were in the same year. The earliest 
guttlers— though it is somewhat uncertain who was the 
very first— were Major David Barney, who came down 
the river from Cooperstown in a canoe, with a large fam- 
ily of children, and settled in what is now called Vestal, 
a little below where his son Nathan now lives. In corn- 
mo- down, the c noe upset to the extreme hazard of the 
lives of the children ; but they were all saved. Major \ 
Barney is said to have been cousin to Com. Barney. 

John Harvey, according to the testimony of his son,, 
came into Union the same year that the Mr. Whitney | 
moved into these parts, and from the same county. He; 
took up a temporary residence on the north side of the; 
river, a little below Isaac Stow's present residence and! 



Annate of Bingham ton, 79 

inn. Daniel Harris was an early settler. He settled on 
the south side of the river, where Daniel Hyatt now 
lives. 

But the more prominent settlers of Union were Gen, 
Oringh Stoddard, one of the commissioners, it will be 
recollected, appointed by the Boston Company to treat 
with the Indians, settled near where his son, the present 
Judge Stoddard, afterward lived for a number of years, 
and where the Traveller's Inn is now kept His brother, 
James Stoddard, who came out nt, or near, the same 
time, settled in Lisle, Near the same time came Nehe T 
miah Spaulding also, and Walter Sabins ; the latter of 
whom was employed by the Boston Company as survey- 
or in running out their tract. These settled lower down, 
but on the same side of the river with Gen. Stoddard. 
Capt. William Brink, a Dutchman, and Henry Richards, 
a Dutchman also, settled higher up the river from Gen. 
Stoddard's, and farther towards Binghamton ; Mr. Rich- 
ards near where, it is believed*, his son Jesse now lives; 
and Capt. Brink, upon the farm that was afterwards 
owned by Rufus Park, and still called the Park place., 

Capt. Brink was from Wyoming; was there in the 
time of the ice freshet ; lost all his cattle and other prop- 
erty in it. Capt. Brink's name occurs in the History of 
Wyoming. He came from Northumberland with the 
Pennimites, under Plunket, to drive the Yankees from 
their settlement. From Wyoming he first moved to the 
Delaware river, where he stayed a few years, and then 
moved to this country. He lost all his improvements 
upon the Park place, and was obliged to begin anew. His 
hardships seem to have given him a wonderful durabili- 
ty of constitution. He lived to be 82 years old. When 
70 years of age, he is said, by his son, to have cradled 
live acres of grain in one day. His courage and hardi- 
hood are proverbial to this day. As corroborative of 
this, it may be related, that upon a certain time, himself, 
Mittinus Harris, and Isaac Underwood, went out a hunt* 
ing in a tracking snow, up the Choconut. They came 
across a bear's track, and followed it to a pine tree, whose 



80 Annul* of Binghamton* 

top was broken off, and which was hollow. It was evi- 
dent that the bear had entered the tree, and at the top. 
And in order to gain access or to rouse the bear, it was 
necessary to cut down the tree. When it was near falling, 
they agreed upon Harris to take his stand, in order to 
shoot the bear as it came out. As the bear bounded 
from the tree, he fired, but did not kill. The dogs at- 
tacked it, and the bear was about running under a log 
or fallen tree, near where Oapt. Brink was when he laid 
hold of the bear's hind legs, and held on with hands and 
teeth, till Harris came up and knocked the bear, with 
the hatchet, in the head. 

Moses Chambers, the father of Joseph Chambers,* of 
Binghamton, settled on the Susquehanna, three miles 
below the village of Binghamton, in 1790; came from 
Wyoming; was a sufferer in the ice freshet. The grand- 
father ol Joseph Chambers was an officer in the French 
war, and moved from Wyoming to this country with his 
sons. 

Jeremiah and Benjamin Brown settled below Gen. 
Stoddard's, on the north side of the river. Col. Coe set- 
tled on the south side, nearly opposite the Mr. Brown's, 
upon the same river road, which was then but an Indian 
path ; and still higher up fron Gen. Stoddard's, settled 
Ezekiel Crocker, something like three-quarters of a mile 
east of where his son, Oliver Crocker, senior, now lives. 

Ezekiel Crocker was one of the sixty proprietors of the 
Boston Purchase. From Union he removed to the val- 
ley of the Chenango, near the Big Island, about two 
miles above Mr. Shaw's. Here but temporarily, and then 
moved down where his sou David now lives. Mr. Crock- 
er became one of the richest men in the county ; but died 
utterly poor. He lost a large share of his property by 
venturing largely into a speculation in salt, during the 
last war. 

Oliver Crocker came a little after his father, with his 



* Mr. Joseph Chambers died in this city, in the summer of 1871, 
being upwards of 80 years of ajje, 



Annals of Binghamton, 81 

pack upon his back. He first worked land upon shares, 
as a tenant, under the elder Joshua Whitney, for two 
years; and then found himself able to purchase four 
hundred acres for himself. He was young at this time, 
only about eighteen years of age ; and seems to have 
been inclined from the beginning to shift for himself. 
While employed in clearing his land, he lived, he says, 
for a length of time upon roots and beech leaves. He 
boarded, or rather tarried by night, with one AVilliam 
Edminster and his little family ; who were driven to 
nearly the same straits. They were relieved, in some de- 
gree, by a scanty supply of cucumbers, and still later by 
a deer or two. As young Crocker assisted in shooting 
the deer, so he shared in eating them. He says that 
while reduced to these extremities for food, he would be- 
come so faint at his work that he would scarcely be able 
to swing his axe, 

Amos Patterson, afterward Judge of Broome county, 
was also one of the early settlers of Union. He settled 
at first about three miles below the village of Bingham- 
ton, and afterward purchased where his son, Chester Pat- 
terson, till within a short time, has lived. He took an 
active part in the formation of the Boston Company. 
He was one of those who came out first to view the coun- 
try, and who made the proposition to the Indians. 

Joshua Mersereau, who was one of the earliest Judges 
of old Tioga county, settled in Union in the year the 
great scarcity was, 1789. He settled first, it is be- 
lieved, upon the south side of the river, but m a 
year or two removed to the north side of the river, 
u pen the location where he lived, for many years 
after. The house is yet standing, large and venera- 
ble, on the south side of the road, and some con- 
siderable distance from it towards the river; and his 
farm or tract reached so far west as to extend to near the 
site of the present village of Union. He was an early 
agent for the Hooper and Wilson's Patent, and resided, 
previous to his coming to Union, at Unadilla for a year 
or two. John Mersereau, his brother, came in 179$, 



82 Annals of Bingham tun. 

and settled first on the Vestal side of the river, but after- 
ward removed over and settled upon the north side, 
where his son Peter now resides, the purchase embracing 
the site of Union village. 

These two brothers were from New Jersey. John Mer- 
sereau moved from New Brunswick ; and Judge Merser- 
eau moved, it is believed, from Woodbridge. They, how- 
ever, before the revolutionary war, lived on Staten Is- 
land, and unitedly kept a large and important tavern, at 
what is still called the Blazing Star. These two men 
were the first who commenced a line of stages from New 
York to Philadelphia, uniting their line with the boats 
that plied between their own dock and New York. John 
Mersereau introduced the first post coach into the United 
States from England ; was the first to put on four horses 
to a mail stage, and was obliged to send to England for 
a driver ; only two horses before the same vehicle having 
been driven here before. Often four, and sometimes 
six, horses were put before the coaches of the gentry in 
our own country as well as in England, but they always 
had postillions upon them. 

When the war commenced, their stages stopped run- 
ning; and when New York and Staten Island fell into 
the hands of the British, they lost their property on the 
Island, which was burnt ; and Judge Mersereau narrow- 
ly escaped falling into the enemy's hands, a company 
having been dispatched to take him at his own house; 
his zeal in the American cause having been early known 
to them. John Mersereau turned his horses, which had 
been employed in the stage line, into the American ser- 
vice, and made an offer of himself to Washington, who 
often employed him on difficult expeditions, and as a 
spy. Esquire John LaGrange's father was employed of- 
ten in the same capacity. 

Judge Mersereau was appointed Commissary through- 
out the war. He w T as much about the person of Gene- 
ral Washington. The Judge, with his brother, were the 
principal instruments in preventing the British army 
from crossing the Delaware river, in their pursuit of 



An mils of Biughamton. 83 

Washington. Washington Lad crossed the Delaware 
about the first of December, either to escape from the 
enemy, who had followed him through New Jersey, or 
to go into winter quarters. After crossing the river, he 
took every precaution to move all the boats across the 
river, and to burn all the materials on the Jersey side, 
not carried over, which might be laid hold of by the en- 
emy to construct rafts. Gen. Washington was asked by 
Judge Mersereau whether he was sure he had removed 
out of the way all that could be employed to transport 
the enemy across. Washington replied he thought he 
had. Judge Mersereau - begged the privilege of recross- 
ing, and making search. He and his brother went back 
and searched the opposite shore, and found below the 
surface of the water two Durham boats which had been 
timely sunk by a royalist, who lived near. They raised 
them up, bailed out the water, and floated them over to 
the Pensylvania side. When the British army came up 
to the Delaware shore, they found no possible means of 
crossing, and were obliged to return back, and pursue, 
at this time, our army no further. 

After the surrender of Burgoyne, Judge Mersereau 
had charge of all the prisoners. It devolved upon him 
to provide for them. They were conducted to Boston 
and from thence sent back "to England. A British offi- 
cer, one of the prisoners, was unwell, and asked of Mr. 
Mersereau a furlough to go into the country, into some 
private family and recruit his health. The Judge sent 
him to his own family, which was then residing in Spring- 
field, Massachusetts. His family consisted of a young 
wife, and three little children. While the officer was 
in Mr. Mersereau's family his health improved wonder- 
fully ; he was able, in less than a week, to leave, and to 
take also with him the commissary's w r ife, who was never 
seen by him afterward. This new pair took with them 
also a span of fine black horses and chaise, with a large 
amount of silver plate. The youngest, which was a babe 
at the breast, the mother left with a neighboring woman, 
with monev and clothes. This babe is now the widow- 



84 Annul* of Bingluunton. 

Van Name, the mother of the Mr. Van Names on the 
Chenango, four miles above the village of Binghamton. 
Her husband's name was William Van Name, who set- 
tled where his sons now live, about forty-two years ago. 
The other two children are Lawrence and Cornelius 
Mersereau, both of Union. 

Several of the Indians, whose particular location was 
nt the Castle farm, had temporary huts or wigwams in 
Union, near the river, and on both sides. These they 
occupied more or less for several years after the country 
was settled. 

Where, and in what manner, they obtained their salt 
was always a mystery to the whites. They would strike a 
course over the mountain about opposite Judge Merser- 
eau's, on the south side of the river, and after an absence 
of about twelve hours, would return with a pail or kettle 
of salt ; and that, too, immediately upon their return, 
would be warm. Old Mr. Eichards used to say that the 
Indians would cross the river below Willow Point, rise 
the mountain and bring back salt. Sometimes it would 
be warm. He inferred that there must be a salt spring 
liear, but it never could be found. John D. Mersereau 
relates, that when a lad, his father and himself have en- 
deavored to follow the Indians when they were known 
to have set out for salt ; but they would soon appear to 
be apprehensive that they Avere watched, and would ei- 
ther remain where they were, or turn from their course. 
Never more than two would set out upon the expedition. 
They used the utmost precaution to prevent the whites 
from ever discovering the secret spot. They had other 
places to which they resorted for salt, one or 
more in the neighborhood of Oquago. Why these sources 
of salt have never been found by the whites is a mystery. 

John La G- rangy, Esq., of Vestal, came later, although 
in an early day. He moved from Elizabethtown, N. J., 
when quite a young man, with a young wife, who was 
also of Elizabethtown, and of the Halsey family of that 
place. She was a woman of more than ordinary energy, 
at the same time amiable and dignified in her manners, 



Annals of Binghamton. 85 

and extensively useful inlier neighborhood. This much 
is thought to be no more than a just tribute to her vir- 
tues. Upon coming here lie purchased his lands of his 
uncle, Judge Mersereau, opposite to whom he settled. 
When he came, he was unaoquainted with a wooden 
country, and even with farming itself. So that his par- 
tial success for a length of time and his frequent irrita- 
tions, from want of more experience, as well as the un- 
propitious aspect of a newly settled country, induced him 
many times to wish that he had stayed where the ele- 
ments around him were less at variance with his knowl- 
edge and habits. His wife, however, would bear up his 
courage, or pleasantly ridicule his little vexations. 

Esquire La Grange is of the fourth generation, in de- 
scent, from Mr. John La Grange, who was from France, 
and a patentee of a large tract of land, twelve miles 
square, embracing, it is said, a part of the site upon 
which Albany now stands. This patent was purchased 
of the Dutch proprietor, John Hendrick Van Ball, in 
1672. The patent deed, given to Van Ball by Francis 
Lovelace— otherwise Lord Lovelace, then governor of 
the colony of New York — is now in the possession of 
Esq. La Grange, as a relic of antiquity. The land of the 
patent, however, went out of the hands of the La Grange 
family after the death of the old patentee, by an artful 
manoeuvre and slight of hand in law, attributable, it is 
said, to the Van Rensselaer family. Not many years 
since Esq. La Grange, in virtue of claims derived from 
his ancestor's patent, received, as one of the heirs, some 
tw r o or three thousand dollars. 

Mr. La Grange has in his possession, as the rightful 
heir, being the oldest son of his father, w r ho was also the 
oldest son of his father, and of the same christian name, 
a large silver tankard, embossed, after the ancient man- 
ner, with the family coat of arms. This tankard belong- 
ed to his remote ancestor John La Grange the patentee, 
and was brought by him from France. He had also his 
ancestor's golden signet, with his initials and family coat 
of arms. He has also — for it is our purpose to speak of 



<M5 Annals of Einghamfon. 

all such specimens of antiquity as may come to our 
knowledge — a powder-horn curiously and ingeniously 
figured, which was found by an officer in Sullivan's ex- 
pedition, in an Indian wigwam. 

As there is a family chronicle which traces back the 
ancestry of the Mcrsereau family to their original coun- 
try, France, it may be proper to insert it. 

The family is descended from a John Mersereau. a 
protestant, who was born in France, and who lived and 
died there. He is represented as being a strong athletic 
man, and very active. When young he studied law, and 
went to a fencing and dancing school ; and then went to 
a saddler's trade. This business he followed extensively. 
Was captain of a company ; and often amused the offi- 
cers and men by exercising the pike. He never went 
from home without his sword. One evening he over- 
took three friars. As he passed them, he said, "good 
night, gentlemen; " upon which they remarked, "he is 
a Hugo not, or he would have called us fathers." To 
which he replied, "that I13 knew but one father, who 
was in heaven." They drew their sabres from under 
their cloaks, and were about to attack him. He desired 
they would let him pass on his way. But they rushed 
upon him in such a manner that he was forced to defend, 
himself. He killed one and wounded another; the third 
made his escape. For this deed, however, he was never 
apprehended. He was in great credit ; kept the best of 
company, and died comparatively young. He left three 
sons: Joshua, Paul and Daniel; and two daughters: 
Mary and Martha. The children all left France and 
went to England in the reign of James II., 1685. Pop- 
ery prevailing here — for James was a Catholic — they 
sailed for Philadelphia. In consequence of distress of 
weather, the ship in which they sailed was obliged to put 
into the harbor of New-York. Paul remained in England. 
Daniel settled on Staten Islrnd. Mary married John 
Latourette, and Martha married a Mr. Shadine. Their 
mother died in this country, and was buried in the 
French Church on Staten Tsland. 



Annals of Binghamton. 87 

Mary, who married Mr. Latourette, was in the great 
massacre of Schenectady, in 1690. She was scalped and 
left for dead ; all her children butcheied by the Indians ; 
her husband probably dead before, or killed in this mas- 
sacre. The nakedness of her skull was concealed and 
defended by a cap made for the express purpose. She 
spent the rest of her days with her brother Joshua, who, 
it is believed, lived on Staten Island also, and who was 
the maternal great-grandfather of Esq. La- Grange, and 
the grandfather of Judge Mersereau ; great-grandfather 
also of Peter Latourette, who early settled in Vestal, 
where his son Henry, and David Ross now own and live. 

Daniel Seymour, and Samuel his brother,* who have 
already been spoken of as among the very first settlers, 
were next above Esq. La Grange in their location. Next 
below was Thomas Eldridge ; and then in order — still 
continuing down the river — was James Williams, Thom- 
as Park, Matthias Dubois, and the younger John Merse- 
reau. liuggles Winchell and Daniel Price settled back 
from the main road, about four miles. 

Peter Mersereau, now living about one half mile be- 
yond the village of Union, who has been spoken of as 
the son of the elder John Mersereau, came over from the 
south side of the river with his father, and settled near 
him. Peter when a lad of about twelve years old, while 
his father lived in New Jersey, was postillion for lady 
Washington from Trenton to Elizabethtown, on her 
way from Virginia to New York, to join her husband. 
This was alter the war, when Washington was about to 
be inaugurated President. At Elizabethtown a barge 
received her, rowed by thirty pilots. 

The village of Union was laid out into streets, and lots 
of three-quarters of an acre in size, in 1836. 

The earliest physician of Union, was a Dr. Ross, who 
settled a little below the present site of the village. 

Beyond the village of Union, on the same side of the 
river, and between the village and Owego, the first set- 

* Daniel Seymour and Samuel Seymour were not bratkera i if 
related at all, it was only distant. 



88 Annals of Binghamton. 

tiers were in order, beginning from Lewis Keeler's pres- 
ent dwelling, Luke Bates ; next, William Roe, Daniel 
Reed, David Gaskill, Asa gamp, the father of the late 
landlord of Camp's well-known Inn. Asa Camp is still 
living, where, it is believed, he first settled; now very 
aged! He served in the revolutionary war, in the capac- 
ity of sergeant, four years; commanded at Fort Freder- 
ick, on the Mohawk ; and with fifteen men in the fort 
effectually repelled two hundred Indians and tories. 
When a flag was sent in for them to surrender, sergeant 
Camp sent word back, " that Yankees lived there ; and 
if they got the fort they must get it by the hardest/' He 
was in the battle at White Plains ; was in one battle on 
the sea, near the banks of Newfoundland, and was also 
at Valley Forge. 

Next to Esquire Camp, came Isaac Harris' settlement, 
then a Mr. Dodge, and last, and farthest towards Owego, 
was Paul Yates. On the south side of the river, and 
nearly opposite Esquire Camp's, is Mr. John Jewell, still 
living. His settlement at this place was not so early as 
the rest that have been mentioned ; but he is now vener- 
able in age, and therefore should be mentioned ; was a 
.Judge, previously to his coining here, in Dutchess coun- 
ty ; served in part of the revolutionary war; was partic- 
ularly in the battle at White Plains. Henry Hillings, 
still further up the river, and on the same side with Mr. 
Jewell, came in about thirty-five ago. He gives an ac- 
count of a great freshet in the Susquehanna, about thir- 
ty-one years ago ; and states also that fifty strings of 
beads, with broaches and other trinkets, were found after 
the freshet had subsided, having been washed from their 
beds of concealment, near where Daniel Harris then 
lived, and where Daniel Hyatt now lives. 



CHAPTER IX. 



The village of Owego is named after a ereek of the 
same name, emptying into the Susquehanna, about a 
half mile beyond it. The name is of Indian origin, and 
signifies swift or swift river. 

Previons to the purchase of the Boston Company, 
James McMaster and Amos Draper, in about the year 
1783 or '4, purchased of the Indians what they called a 
half township, comprising 11,500 acres, and embracing 
the site upon which Owego stands. Two of its boundaries 
were, on the west by the Owego creek, and on the south 
by the Susquehanna river. This purchase having been 
conducted legally, and being prior to their own, the Bos- 
ton Company ceded to them the half township, though 
embraced within the limits: of their own purchase ; 
which, it will be remembered, extended on the west to 
the Owego ereek. 

In 1785, McMaster and William Taylor, still living in 
Owego, and then a bound boy to McMaster, came and 
cleared, in one season, ten or fifteen acres of land ; and 
through the summer planted and raised a crop of corn 
from the same. This was the first transition of the 
ground, where Owego now stands, from a wilderness 
state. 

In 1794 or '5, McMaster and Hudson, m surveyor, laid 
out the village into streets and lots, and thus laid the 
foundation for what Owego is, or shall be hereafter. 
Ten years passed, or a little more, from the first felling 
of the trees, until the first steps were taken to constitute 
it a village. Trie pleasantness of the situation, being 
upon the banks of the Susquehanna, with nearly a level 
plain for its location, and the advantages of water power 



90 Annals of Binghamton* 

from the Ovvego creek, together with the prospect of 4 
speedy settlement of the country around, determined 
these men, undoubtedly, in fixing upon this spot. 

Col D. Pixley, another of the commissioners sent out 
by the Boston company, it will be remembered, to treat 
with the Indians, settled, in a very early day, about one 
mile west of Owego, on a beautiful and level area ot 
about 3000 acres. This purchase, for some reason, not 
now known, was called "- Campbell's Location. Uol. 
Pixley was from Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and when 
he" moved into the parts, he brought with him a wife 
and three children; David, Amos and Mary, lne 
daughter is the wife of James Pumpely, of Owego. 
David Pixley, jun., was a surveyor, and the lather of 
Charles B. Pixlev, a resident of Binghamton. Col. -Fix- 
ley acquainted himself with the Indian language, and 
became thereby the more popular with them. Mrs. Pix, 
ley was eminently pious, and made her house a homo 
for strangers, and especially for the missionaries and 
ministers of that early day. 

The sources of wealth, as the village grew up, were 
salt from Salina, brought to the place and carried down 
the river in arks for Pennsylvania and Maryland mark. 
ets. Wheat from the north, which was also transported 
down the river ; lumber, also, and plaster. 

Some little distance beyond Owego creek, there settleO 
in early dav, one Jeremy White. Near what is now 
known as Swartwood's tavern, but formerly and better 
known as Broadhead's tavern, there settled one SwartzJ 
Still continuing down the river, and on the same side, 
near the mouth.of Pipe creek, the first settlement waa 
made by Cornelius Brooks and Prince Aiden. One 
mile and a half beyond, Nathaniel Goodspeed settled. 
In the same neighborhood also, settled Francis Uragg,. 
Lodawick Light, still beyond, and about eight miles be- 
low Owego. Jesse Miller, the father of Jesse and Amofl 
Mi ler, settled one mile this side of Smithborough— § 
small village ten miles west ol Owego— on the same larnj 
upon which their sons now Jive, Samuel liausom anal 



Annals of BmghamtQft. 91 

Enos Canfield, still nearer this village. Abiel Cady and 
Jonas Williams settled, it is believed, on the other side ; 
that is, the east side of the river. 

Amos Draper, the same that purchased the half town- 
ship of the Indians, settled himself where Smithborough 
now stands. The father of Amos Draper was a tory in 
the revolutionary war. At this time, his family resided 
on the south bank of the Susquehanna, in what was af- 
terwards called Union, not far from opposite Judge 
Mersereau's. The sons, however, always differed in this 
respect from the father. This village, only a few years 
ago, was laid out into a village form by Isaac Board man, 
who was sole proprietor of the ground, Boardman 
bought of Kobert Johnson. 

Beyond the village of Smithborough the earliest set- 
tlers were Jonas Pyers, Ebenezer Taylor, Stephen Mills. 
Mr. Mills is still living, and rising eighty years of age ; 
living, too, on the place he first occupied. Ebenezer 
Ellis lived four miles this side of Tioga Point. John 
Shepherd, three miles this side, and owned the mill: on 
Oayuta creek. The grist mill was built by one Briant, 
and sold to Shepperd. Enoch Warner lived just beyond 
the second Narrows, on the Chemung river, being the 
neighbor, in this early clay, to Mr. Mills, on the road — 
or rather path at this time — to Elmira. John Squires 
settled opposite to Mr. Warner, on the western side of 
the same river. 

Between Owego and Tioga Point there were a num- 
ber of Indians lived on the river plain for a length of 
time after its settlement by the whites. They demand- 
ed a yearly rent of the settlers for their land, until a 
treaty was held with them at Tioga, three or four years 
after the first settlement. An Indian, called Captain 
John, was their chief, or passed as such. They were 
always pleased to have white people eat with them ; and 
would appear offended, if, when calling at their wig- 
wams when they were eating, they refused to eat with 
them. In seeking their rent, which they expected to be 
paid in grain, or when they wished to borrow, or buy, or 



92 Annals of Binghamton. 

beg, they never would ask for wheat, but always for 
corn. It is said, that some of the squaws could make an 
excellent kind of cake, out of fine Indian-meal, dried 
berries and maple sugar, When they wished to beg 
something to eat, instead of expressing it in words, they 
would place their hand first on their stomach and then 
to their mouth. This mute language must have been a 
powerful appeal to the hospitality and sympathies of 
their more fortunate brethren. When they had bad 
luck, it is said, they would eat some kind of root which 
made them very sick and vomit, that they might, as 
they said, have better luck in future. 

A few years after the country was settled, there pre- 
vailed an extensive and serious famine. It was felt more 
particularly in the region between Owego and Elmira, 
embracing Tioga. It was experienced even down to 
Wyoming. For six weeks or more the inhabitants 
were entirely without bread or its kind. This season of 
famishing occurred immediately before the time of har- 
vesting. So far as the cause of this destitution was ac- 
counted for, it was supposed to result from a greater 
number than usual, of new settlers coining in, and also a 
great scarcity prevailing in Wyoming that season. This 
being a much older settled country, a scarcity here 
would materially affect the newer parts. 

During the prevalency of this want of bread, the peo- 
ple were languid in their movements, irresolute and fee- 
ble in what they undertook, emaciated and gaunt in 
their appearance. 

The inhabitants, as a substitute for more substantial 
food, gathered, or rather, it is believed, dug what are 
called wild beans ; which, it seems, were found in con- 
siderable quantities. These they boiled and ate, with 
considerable relish. They would also gather the most 
nutritious roots and eat. As soon as their rye was in 
the milk, it was seized upon, and by drying it over a i 
moderate fire, until the grain acquired some consistency, 
they were enabled to pound it into a sort of meal, out of 
which they made mush. This was a very great relief, , 



Annals of Binghamton. 93 

although the process was tedious, and attended with 
much waste of the grain. In the early part of the scarci- 
ty, while there was a possibility of finding grain or flour 
of any kind abroad, instances were not unfrequenfc, of 
families tearing up their feather beds, and sending away 
the feathers in exchange for bread. And instances also 
of individuals riding a whole day and not obtaining a 
half of a loaf. During the time of this great want, how- 
ever, none died of hunger. There were two young men 
that died in consequence of eating to excess, when their 
hunger came to be relieved by the green rye. 

Tioga Point was settled, as near as can be ascertained, 
in the year 1780, by John Shepherd, Dr. Stephen Hop- 
kins, Col. Satterlee, Elisha Matthewson, David Paine, 
and Samuel Paine. They all purchased their land of 
Col. Jenkins, who was a patentee of a tract of land em- 
bracing this place. 

The place was run out into streets and lots in 1786. 

Mrs. Matthewson, the wife of Elisha Matthewson, an 
aged lady, and widow, now living in the village of Tioga, 
was taken a prisoner at Wyoming, at the time that the 
fort, in which the inhabitants had taken refuge, was 
surrendered to the British and Indians, in 1778. The 
British and Indians, it will be remembered, were com- 
manded jointly by Col. Butler, a British officer, anc] 
the celebrated Brant. The American militia, by Col. 
Zebulon Butler and Col. Nathan Denison. The disas- 
ters of the battle which preceded, and of the surrender 
of the fort, are as feelingly remembered as any part of 
the American history. 

The articles and capitulation, which were drawn up and 
signed on the 4th of July — just two years from the sign- 
ling of a very different instrument — were entirely disre- 
garded. The village of AVilkesbarre, consisting then of 
twenty-three houses, was burnt. Men and their wive§ 
were separated, and carried into captivity ; their prop- 
erty was plundered, and the settlement laid waste. The 
remainder of the inhabitants were driven from the valley, 
and compelled to proceed on foot sixty or eighty mile* 



94 Annals of Bingham ton. 

through swamp and thick forest to the Delaware, with- 
out food, and almost without clothing. A number per- 
ished in the journey, principally women and children ; 
others wandered from the path in search of food, and 
were lost ; and those who survived, called the wilder- 
ness through which 1 hey passed, " the shades of death ; " 
an appellation which it has ever since retained. 

Mrs. Matthewson was at this time about thirteen or 
fourteen years old. She had a mother and little broth- 
ers and sisters, all younger than herself, delivered up 
with the other prisoners of the fort. Her father, it is 
believed, fell in the battle that took place. She says the 
Indians, when they came into the fort, painted the faces 
of all that were in the fort. She was so young that she 
did not understand the object of it, but supposes it was 
done to distinguish them, if found without the fort. 
She says that the Indians plundered the fort of every- 
thing they could lay their hands upon ; even much of 
the clothing worn at the time by the inmates. Alter a 
day or two, they were discharged from the fort, and sent 
out forlorn and destitute, with scarcely clothing to their 
backs, with no provision, all having been seized upon, 
as well as their cattle and horses. This company, thus 
destitute, consisted almost entirely of aged or infirm 
men, of women and their children. The able bodied 
men having been cut off in the battle, to the number of 
three hundred. Turned out of home, in the midst of a 
wild wilderness, they look around for succor and can 
think of none nearer than their friends and relatives in 
New England, whence they emigrated. They turn their 
faces towards the Delaware river and set out to march 
through the dismal forest that lay between ; carrying 
their little ones, and progressing as the younger part, or 
more infirm, could bear it. 

Mrs. Matthewson says, that when night came, they all 
were obliged to lie down under the open canopy oi heaven, 
without any covering, save that of angels' wings. She 
says they would look out a place to lie, in or near some 
little bushes, such as alder or whortleberry, that they. 



Annals of Binghamton. 95 

might have the partial covering their leaves afforded. 
They were sustained, she says, on their way. almost en- 
tirely by whortleberries, a gracious provish n which the 
season afforded, without which they must have starved. 

After several days they reached the Delaware at 
Stroudsburgh, where thev met with two com panics of the 
continental troops, who had been sent to the succor and 
relief of the people of Wyoming, but too late. Here 
they remained a week or more, and received rations from 
the military stores of the two companies. After this 
she, her mother, and the other children, started for the 
mother's native New England. A horse was procured, 
by some means, upon which the mother rode and carried 
one or two of the younger children. The mother died 
soon after reaching her destined place, and the young- 
est child died on the way. 

To follow now the settlement up the Chemung river, 
Ebenezer Ellis settled four miles above the Point, to- 
wards Elmira. Enoch Warner settled just above the 
second Narrows ; John Squires opposite, on the other 
side of the river. Abijah Batterson, on the same side of 
the river, nearly as high up as Wellsburgh. This little 
village is on the south-west side of the river, six miles 
south-east of Elmira. Samuel Bidleman settled a few 
miles below Wellsburgh, on the Elmira side of the river, 
where John Bidleman now lives. Judge Henry Wells, of 
Wellsburgh, is the son of Abner Wells, from Orange 
county, the first settler of the place, end after whom it 
is called. Between Wellsburgh and Elmira, there set- 
tled on both sides of the river, Abraham Kelsey, James 
Mitchell, a Mr. Gardner, Samuel Middaugh, Abraham 
Miller, first Judge and father of the present Abraham 
Miller, Lebeus Tubbs, from Wyoming, Parson Culvier — 
as he was popularly called — a Congregational minister, 
i Eufus Baldwin, Wm. Jenkins, Esq., from Wyoming abo, 
Nathaniel Seeley, John and Timothy Smith, Solomon 
| Bavier, Judge Caleb Baker, near Elmira, Lebeus Ham- 
! mond, Esq., a little down the river. Mr. Hammond 
\ was the only person that made his escape of fourte&ti 



1)6 Annals of Bingham ton. 

that were set down in a circle to be tomahawked by the 
Indians, after the great defeat at Wyoming. On the 
evening after the battle, the Indians, after their custom, 
set them down in a circle, a great number standing 
guard around ; they then commenced the deadly work, , 
with the man sitting next to Esq. Hammond. But no> 
sooner was this first one knocked in the head, and tell I 
back, than he sprang and passed the ring, a volley of 
hatchets being thrown at him. He, however, cleared, 
them. It is stated in a manner to be depended upon for r 
truth, that Queen Esther,, a celebrated squaw, who has; 
already been spoken of, was the person appointed to ex- 
ecute the work of death upon these fourteen men ; which i 
she achieved with as much adroitness and coolness off 
blood as any of their warriors would have done. Her 
place of residence was at Tioga Point. The soldiers ofi 
Sullivan's army having heard the part she took in thati 
massacre, contrived, as they passed through the place, so 
to dispose of her as to leave no trace of her existence be- 
hind. At least, this is the supposition, as nothing was> 
found of her afterward. 

Mr. Hammond was captured the second time. Hav- 
ing business about twelve miles from home, he set out! 
under circumstances of some apprehension, at least ac- 
cording to the feelings of his wife, who had gloomy fore- 
codings as to his safety. The particulars of his capture 
have been received from a gentleman residing in the im- 
mediate neighborhood of Esq. Hammond, and well ac- 
quainted with him in his life time : 

Sometime in March, of 1781, Mr. Lebeus Hammond,, 
a citizen of Luzerne county, left his residence on the- 
Susquehanna river, a few miles above where the village 
now stands, in search of a horse which had strayed from, 
him. Hammond directed his course up the river for thei 
distance of about ten miles, to a place he had formerly^ 
lived, where he expected to find his horse. According^ 
to his expectation he found his horse, and after making: 
a bridle of hickory withes, he proceeded homewards- 
When within about five miles of his residence, he earner 



Annate of BingJiamton. 97 

to a clearing, where he found a Mr. Bennett and his son 
logging, with two yoke of oxen. He stopped and con- 
versed with them until the declining sun warned him 
that it was time to be on his way. He left them, but had 
gone little more than a mile, when he discovered several 
moccasin tracks in the road ; he became alarmed, fearing 
that there was a party of Indians at hand. He stopped 
land listened, but could hear nothing ; he then proceeded 
at a brisk trot, expecting every moment to have ••his 
horse shot beneath him, and had gone but a few hun- 
dred yards from where he had first seen the tracks, when 
two Indians sprung from behind a large tree, seized his 
horse by the bridle, and dragged him off the back of the 
affrighted animal. After a short consultation in the In- 
dian tongue, which Hammond did not understand, they 
led him some distance into the woods, and fastened him 
to a tree with his hands tied behind his back. 
• In this situation they left him, and were absent nearly 
an hour when they returned, dragging with them Ben- 
nett and his son, having been joined in the mean time 
;by four more Indians. The Indians appeared rejoiced 
m having taken Bennett, who, it appeared had beers 
jfcheir prisoner once before, and had escaped. They im- 
jmediately commenced their march up the Susquehanna 
(river, making Bennett carry all the baggage they were 
in possession of; and travelled thirteen miles that even- 
ing, to where they encamped in an old building, .situat- 
ed near the river bank. The Indians were destitute; of 
provisions, and the prisoners, though very hungry and 
:aint, travelling with the burdens which they had heap- 
id upon them, were compelled to lay down without re- 
ceiving a morsel to eat, When they were preparing to 
jie down, the old Indian, who appeared to be their leader, 
jvent to the woods and cut three long poles, and then 
pdered the prisoners to lie down on a blanket which 
iiad been spread on the floor of the cabin ; he then laid 
the poles over the prisoners, when three of the Indians 
laid down on each end of them, in order to prevent the 
i'scape of their prisoners. In this distressing situation 
5 



98 Annals of Binghamton. 

they passed the night. They remained at this place un- 
til about ten o'clock in the day, when a party of Indians 
came in canoes from the opposite side of the river, and 
took them over. When they reached the shore, one of 
party which met them gave each of the prisoners a large 

Eiece of jerked venison, which they devoured eagerly, 
aving eat nothing for nearly two days and a night. 
They left the large party here, and proceeded up the riv- 
er shore all that day, and at night they encamped on the 
river bank ; and the prisoners were secured in the same 
manner they had been the preceding night, and without 
giving them anything to eat. 

The next morning they commenced their march, still 
pursuing the course of the river ; about ten o'clock the 
sun shone quite warm, and melted the snow which still ; 
remained on the mountains, and raised the small streams ; 
Which they had to cross to a great height, but they 
braved all difficulties and persevered on, and late in the 
afternoon they arrived at a creek, which the Indians i 
called Meshoppin, where the Indians killed a deer, which i 
they skinned and carried the meat with them. The' 
creek was swollen very much by the water which had I 
run off the hills during the day, and they were compel- 
led to go up its bank for several miles, before they could 
get across it. After they had reached the other shore,. 
they proceeded down the same, until within half a mile 
of its junction with the Susquehanna, where they en*' 
camped for the night. After a fire had been kindled, 
they seated themselves around it, and were roasting the 
venison which they had got this day, when the leader oft 
the Indians, who spoke tolerably good English, com- 
menced a conversation with Hammond, and told him 
that he had expected to meet a large party of Indians 
at that place, but as they were not there, he supposedl 
they had encamped higher up the river. He then askedl 
Hammond various questions concerning the Avar, such 
as, did he think there would be peace? and stated thai 
he had understood that the white men ivished to make 
peace with the red men ; and whether he had even 



Annals of Binghamton, 99 

known Lieut. Boyd ? Hammond told him that he was 
intimately acquainted with him. The Indian then went 
and got a sword that lay a little way from where the v 
sat and drew the blade out of the scabbard, and with a 
smile of triumph said, "there Boyd's sword!" Ham- 
mond took the sword out of the hand of the Indian, and 
discovered the initials of Boyd's name stamped on the 
blade near the hilt. Hammond then gave the sword to 
the Indian, who appeared careful to return it to the 
place from which he had taken it, and returning again 
to Hammond, said, "Boyd a brave man, he as good a 
soldier as ever fought against the red men ; " and this 
Hammond supposed the savage well knew, for he had 
previously told him that he commanded the party of In- 
dians that had massacred Boyd and his band of heroes 
which consisted of twenty-four men, but one of whom 
escaped the hands of these merciless savages. Boyd, he 
stated, had been sent out on a scouting party by General 
fculhvan, when he and his party met them/ and the 
bloody conflict ensued. We took Boyd prisoner, continu- 
ed the Ind/an, and put him to death, by cutting- off his 
fingers land toes, and plucking out his eyes; but still 
brave Boyd neither asked for mercy, or uttered a com- 
plaint. He related to Hammond the manner in which 
lost, a friendly Indian, who acted, as a guide for Boyd, 
had been put to death, which was much more barbarous 
and cruel than that inflicted on Boyd. 

Hammond sat in silence during all the time that the 
savage was relating the story of the massacre, knowing 
that it would be death to him to expostulate or express 
\m detestation of the hellish deed, but his bos^m burn- 
ed with rage, and he uttered a silent prayer to Him who 
rules the destiny of all, that means of revenging the 
aiurder of his countrymen might be placed within his 
reach. 

Here the Indian ceased talking to Hammond, and or- 
lerrng the prisoners to lie down, they were fastened in 
the same manner they had been the two preceding 
lights. ^About midnight the wind shifted $o tha north, 

I £ /> 

L. . u ? v , 



100 Annals of Binghamton. 

and it became so intensely cold, that Hammond and bis 
companions in captivity nearly perished. At day-break 
the Indians loosened their prisoners and ordered them 
to kindle a large fire, and one of the Indians was set as 
a -gnard, whilst the other five laid down again and fell 
asleep.- The Indian who had been set as a guard got the 
head of the deer which they had killed the preceding- 
day, and with a spear held it into the fire to roast, and 
threw a blanket over his head and shoulders to shelter 
him from the north wind. After they had kindled a 
good lire and warmed themselves, Hammond asked leave 
for him and his companions to go to the creek, which 
was but a short distance off, to wash, which the old In- 
dian willingly granted. When they were done washing 
themselves, Hammond says to Bennett, " My friend, 
now is the auspicious moment for us to effect our libera- 
tion from these barbarians, such a favorable opportuni- 
ty may never again offer, and you have already seen 
enough to convince you that you will be put to 
death/' Bennett unhesitatingly agreed to make the at- 
tempt, it could only be death, and that he expected if he 
remained with them, and he might as well perish in an 
attempt to regain his liberty. The great matter then, 
was to deceive the old Indian so as to prevent him from 
discovering their intention, and giving the alarm to his 
savage comrades. To effect this, Hammond was to place 
himself at the opposite side of the fire from the old In- 
dian, and engage him in an earnest conversation, whilst 
Bennett and his son were to come up behind him and 
seize the guns and spears ; the blanket which the Indian I 
had thrown over his head, would prevent him from dis- ■ 
covering them. 

The arrangements were now completed. Bennett 
stood ready with a spear to terminate the existence -\ 
of the old Indian, who had been set to watch them.. 
Hammond stood prepared to leap over the fire the in- 
gtant the. blow was given, and lay hold of the tomahawks? 
which lay near the heads of the savages, and with themi 
to aiclin despatching the other five ; whilst the boy, 



Annals of Binghamton. 101 

stood ready to seize the guns, and render all the assis- 
tance in the conflict he could. 

The signal was given, and Bennett drove the spear 
completely through the body of the old Indian, who 
sprang entirely over the fire and drew the spear out of 
Bennett's hand, uttering a most terrific yell. Hammond 
sprang over the fire, seized the tomahawks, and prepar- 
ed for the work of death. The Indian who had the 
command of the party that massacred Boyd' and lite- 
men, was first on his feet and gave the savage yell, "chee 
whoo! ehee whoo!" when Hammond buried a toma- 
hawk m his brains, and he fell headlong into the fire :. 
the next blow he made, he struck one of them on-the side 
of the head immediately below the ear, who also fell in- 
to the fire ; and at a third blow he buried his tomahawk 
between the shoulders of a savage, who, on receiving the 
stroke, made such a sudden leap, that he forced the tom- 
ahawk from Hammond, and ran some distance with it 
sticking in his shoulders. Bennett, having lost his 
spear at the commencement of the affray, had seized a 
gun and despatched one of the Indians by beating out 
his brains with the butt of it. Not one of the Indians 
would have escaped, had it not been that three of the 
guns were empty; three of them having fired at a 
deer the day before, and had not re-loaded their guns. 
This rendered the boy almost useless in the struggle ; he 
having made three attemps to shoot, but had unfortu- 
nately got hold of an empty gun. One of the Indians 
I escaped unhurt, and the one wounded between the 
I shoulders crept away and hid himself. They then gath- 
jered up the blankets, guns and sword, and threw every 
| thing else into the fire ; and in their hurry they neglect- 
led to save any of the venison to take with them. 
! They immediately commenced their retreat, directing 
their course up the Meshoppin, and at the distance of 
three miles from the place from which they had started, 
jthey waded the creek, taking the boy between them to 
prevent him from being swept off by the stream, which 
had risen considerably during the night, and was very 



102 Annals of Bingliamton. 

difficult and dangerous to cross. The morning was ex- 
tremely cold, and they had proceeded but a short dis- 
tance until their clothes were frozen stiff, which render- 
ed it very laborious and uncomfortable for them to trav- 
el. On their way home they kept behind the mountains 
and a considerable distance from the river, fearing thai 
they would be pursued by the large party of savages, 
which one of the Indians had informed Hammond were 
in the neighborhood. The weather continuing cold, the 
snow which was still of a considerable depth behind the 
mountains, was frozen hard enough to permit them to ■ 
walk on the crust without falling through. This, whilst 
it enabled them to travel much faster, rendered it almost 
impossible to track them. On the evening of the sixth 
day after they had been taken by the savages, they arriv- 
ed at home, to the great joy of their families and neigh- 
bors, having travelled three days without a morsel to eat. 

Lieutenant Boyd's sword, which Hammond had taken i 
from the old Indian, was some years afterwards present- 
ed by him to Col. John Boyd, a brother of the deceased. 

Several years after the bloody transaction which had! 
taken place on the bank of the Meshoppin, at an Indian 
treaty held at Newton — the same that we speak of ass 
taking place in 1790— Hammond saw the old Indian hi 
had wounded in the shoulders with a tomahawk, who 
walked with his head bowed down in consequence of the 
wound. Hammond, who was not altogether convinced! 
that he was the same Indian, and not wishing to make 
himself known to the savage — if he was the same — re^- 
quested a man named Jennings, to ask the old Indian 
the cause of his neck being crooked. Jennings watched 
him, and an opportunity presenting itself, lie asked the 
old savage the question, who promptly replied, " a d — d* 
Yankee tomahawked me at Wyoming!" This answer 
fully satisfied Hammond that he was the same Indian Mi 
had wounded at the contest on the bank of the Meshopo 
pin. 

Mrs. Hammond herself was taken prisoner, and wait 
among those who travelled through the wilderness call ! 



Annals of Biwjhamton. 10S 

ed by them " the shades of death/' to the Delaware 
river. 

Below Wellsburgh, and on same side of the river, with- 
in the distance of six or eight miles of the village, there 
Settled a Mr. McKeen, (the father of Mr. Keen, the Uni- 
ted States Senator,) Ebenezer Green, Abijah Batterson, 
Samuel Westbrook, Elias Middaugh, Green Bentley, 
near Wellsburgh, after whom Bentley creek Was named, 
Abraham Bennet, Asa Burnham, Abiel Fry, Thomas 
Kenney, Elder Boswell Goff, who was the first minister 
of that region, was of the Baptist order, and a useful 
man in his day. He came from Wyoming, and settled 
on Chemung Flats in 1786. The Baldwin family set- 
tled about the same time opposite Wellsburgh, John 
Hillman came about the same time, and settled a little 
lower down. 

The person who first broke the ground for civilized 
settlement, in the region which was destined to embrace 
the village of Elmira, with its suburb neighborhood, 
was Col.. John Handy. He was of New England origin; 
and emigrated thither from Tioga Point in the year 
1788. A few years previous to this, be had moved from 
Wyoming. The precise spot of his settlement was, it is 
believed, where the venerable Col. now lives ; which is 
something more than two miles above the village, on the 
banks of the Chemung. He lives still in his primitive 
style, in a double log house, retaining the manners and. 
bearing of the generation that has just gone by, of which 
he is a happy representative. He is highly esteemed in 
the village and its vicinity, as a surviving hero of the 
revolution, as the first pioneer in the settlement of the 
country, and as the friend, the paternal friend, of the 
generation that has grown up around him. 

The second person who made a permanent settlement 
within the range of Elmira village, was John Miller, af* 
terward first Judge of Tioga county, who also settled 
immediately upon the banks of the Chemung, upon q, 
farm now occupied by Captain Partridge. Thomas 
Handy, a relative of the Colonel, was the third. In th§ 



104 Annals of Binghamton. 

same year, and in the following, (1789) there came sev- 
eral families and settled on the south side of the river, 
now called Sonthport, and connected to Elmira by a 
bridge. 

The same year, it appears, in which Ool. Handy set- 
tled on the Chemung, that section of the country was 
surveyed by Gen. James Clinton, Gen. John Hathorn ? 
and John Cantine, Esq., as commissioners on the part of 
the State, and the land estimated and sold at eighteen 
pence per acre. But a little previous to this, Judge 
Gore and Gen. Spaulding, from Tioga Point, rented the 
lands lying between the Pennsylvania line on the south, 
the pre-emption line on the west, the two lakes on the 
north and the Chemung Narrows on the east, for ninety- 
nine years. Whether this transaction was recognized by 
the commissioners is net known. 

In the year 1790, Elmira was signalized with the pres- 
ence of between eleven and twelve hundred Indians, who 
liad met from various and distant parts of their wilder- 
ness country, for the purpose of holding a treaty with 
\he United States. The distinguished Timothy Picker- 
ing was the principal negotiator on the part of the gov- 
ernment, and Guy Maxwell acted as his secretary. On 
the part of the Indians there were their most distinguish- 
ed chiefs, such as Red Jacket, Corn Planter, Big Tree, 
and others, to watch over, elucidate, and defend the wa- 
ning interests of the several tribes. 

In 1792, Nathaniel Seely built the first frame house 
in the village of Newtown, or Elmira. Moses De Witt, 
the year previous, (1791) laid out the village of Elmira; 
and in honor of whom the village was first called De- 
Wittsburgh. For some reason it soon changed its name 
to that of Newtown ; this name it changed to that of 
Elmira. 

In 1797, the village was honored with the visit of no 
less a personage than Louis Phillipe, the present King 
of France, with two French noblemen accompanying 
him: the Duke de Nemours and the Duke de Berri, 
They came on foot from Canandaigua, with letters of in- 



ArmaU of B inghamton* 105 

trodnction from Thomas Morris, to Henry Tower, Esq., 
who then lived in the village of Elmira. Mr. Tower, af- 
ter Irs distinguished guest had tarried some number of 
days under his hospitable roof, recruiting their weary 
limbs, and enjoying the social parlance of their hosts, 
took them in a boat he fitted up for the purpose, down 
to Harrisburgh. 

Southport, which is a beautiful and extended plain, 
on the south side of the Chemung, and the central part 
immediately opposite Elmira, was settled, as has been 
just stated, the first and second years after the settle- 
ment of the north side, by Judge Caleb Baker, who still 
lives upon the sod that received its first cultivation from 
himself. John and Timothy Smith, Solomon Bavier, 
Lebius Hammond, Esq., William Jenkins, Esq., still 
living, Eufus Baldwin, still farther down the river, Par- 
son Culvier, a Congregational minister, Lebius Tubbs, 
the father of Mrs. Hammond, Judge Abraham Miller, 
and Samuel Middaugh ; whose names have been men- 
tioned before. 

This plain, it should be stated, had, previously to its 
settlement by the whites, been cleared — so far as they 
clear land — and cultivated by the Indians. When Gen. 
Sullivan passed up on his expedition, he found it cover- 
ed, in immense patches, with growing corn, from Post's 
Corners to beyond Elmira, a .distance of of five miles or 
more. The destruction of this corn occupied portions 
of the army for several days. 

In corroboration of that which is said to have given rise 
to the Indian word Chemung, as appropriated to the riv- 
er of that name, Judge Baker relates, that a few years 
after his settlement upon its plain, he was passing up or 
down the river in a canoe, with one or two others, and 
at the shore, near what is called the Second Xarrows, 
when they were about to disembark, there was observed, 
under water, something protruding out of the bank, 
looking like the root of a tree. It was spoken of as a cur- 
ious root. Judge Baker requested one of the men to get 
into the water and examine it; and, if possible, to draw 



106 Annals of Binghamton. 

it out or break it off. It was soon found to be no root 
Their curiosity was increased, and all got into the wa- 
ter to wrest it from the bank, in which it was partly em- 
bedded. They succeeded in getting it out, and found it 
to be a perfect, though an immense, horn. It measured, 
from one extremity to the other, nine feet in the curve, 
and was six feet, measuring in a straight line. It was 
somewhat corroded by time, though not enough to ma- 
terially effect either its form or coherency. As not 
much attention could then be paid to curiosities, it was 
negligently left at a blacksmith's shop, for a long time. 
Judge Baker intended to have it taken care of, and to 
have it examined, if practicable, by some competent nat- 
uralist. It was left at the blacksmith's shop, as nearly 
as the writer can recollect, to have- a band put round, 
where it was split. After a while, the horn was missing. 
The blacksmith having an opportunity of disposing of 
it for a paltry sum, sold it to a pedlar ; and it was taken 
to some of the New England states, and has not been 
heard of since. A Captain McDowell, who was taken 
prisoner by the Indians, and some time with them, saw 
pieces of a very large horn, which the Indians said their 
fathers had found in this river, and therfore gave it the 
name of Chemung ; which signifies Big-horn. Captain 
McDowell, who saw the horn found by Judge Baker, 
said he had no doubt but the two belonged to the same 
animal. Of what species that animal w 7 as, is for learned 
naturalists to determine. 

Among the early setters of the village of Elmira, may 
be mentioned Daniel Cruger, who opened the first store ; 
Cornelius Low, and his partner Jacob Emmons, who 
were merchants also, and simultaneous with Mr. Cruger, 
John Conkle, Esq., the first Postmaster, and afterward, 
it is believed, was State Senator ; B. Payne, who was af- 
terward Judge. Judge Payne in company with Wiliiam 
Dunn, built the first grist-mill in the village neighbor- 
hood ; John Stonher, whose avocation is not now 
known ; Peter Loop an attorney ; Vincent Matthews, 
who was considered in those early times the first lawyer 



Annals of Binghmnton. 107 

in the place ; Joseph Hinchman, who was the earliest 
physician settled in the village ; William Miller, an ear- 
ly trader with the Indians; Nicholas Gale opened the 
first tavern ; and last, though not least in importance, 
Simeon R. Jones was the first settled minister. 
- These few founded a present village, but a prospective 
city; whose thousands of inhabitants, in their succes- 
sive generations, are to reach down, in all probability, 
through the millennuim to the latest age of the world. 



CHAPTER X. 

Ik early day, Sylvanus Delano settled a short distance 
below Gen. Waterman's dam, called the rockbottom 
dam, and a little above the same dam, Levi Bennett set- 
tled. 

According to the story told to some of the eariy set- 
tlers by Indian Seth, there were two men— whether In- 
dians or white men does not appear—long before the 
country was 'settled by the whites, on the bank of the 
Susquehanna, somewhere between the rockbottom dam 
and the dry bridge— burnt to death at two pitch-pine 
trees. Upon these two trees the faces of the two men 
were carved, evidently by Indian hands. These hiero- 
glyphical representations of human suffering and death 
were to be seen for years after the country was settled ; 
though possibly seen but by a few. 

To give also the names of the early settlers, from Mr. 
Bennet's to the Great Bend, upon the river road, and 
that too in their order, we should mention, first Joseph 



108 Amials of Binghamton. 

Compton ; then, one Mr. Hungerford ; next, Mr. Slight- 
er ; Thomas Cooper ; Noel Carr ; Mr. Wickam ; Eben- 
ezer Park ; Mr. Miller ; David Compton ; Mr. Sneden ; 
Mr. Lommeree ; John Bell ; Asa Squires ; Nathaniel 
Tagot ; Asa Rood ; Peter Wentz ; Daniel Chapman ; 
David Bound ; Garrit Snidaker ; Jonathan Bennet, a 
very early settler ; Ralph Lotrip ; Waples Hanth, at the 
mouth of Snake Creek. And at the Bend, a Mr. Merry- 
man ; Jonathan Newman ; Jonathan Dimon, very ear- 
ly ; Joseph Strong and Henry Smith. Asa Adams and 
Jedediah Adams settled about one mile and a half above 
the mouth of Snake creek, on the south side of the 
river. 

The Great Bend was first settled in 1787, the same 
year in which the valley of the Chenango was, by Major 
Buck — after Rev. — an I his son Ichabod, better known, 
however, by the name of Capt. Buck. They settled op- 
posite what was called Pleasant Island, on the 
north side of the river, a little above the " painted rocks." 
The rocks upon the southern shore, at the place alluded 
to, come quite to the river brink, and stand perpendicu- 
lar in strata to the height of thirty feet. Some parts of 
them formerly presenting quite a smooth surface. Up- 
on this surface the early settlers lound painted in an in- 
genious, though rude, style, the representations of var- 
ious animals, such as panthers, bears, wolves, and wild 
cats. They have, however, long since been defaced, so 
as now to be invisible. They were evidently painted by 
Indians ; but when, or by whom, is not kitown. 

Captain Benajah Strong, a year or two after the first 
settlement, settled on the south side of the river, where 
the tavern stand now is ; Ozias Strong settled on the 
north side, where Esq. Thompson lived for many years, and 
where Loure Green now lives ; Jonathan Bennet — after- 
wards deacon in the Congregational Church at the Bend, 
settled where the Mr. Thomases now live ; a Mr. Mitch- 
el settled at what has since been called Harmony. These 
constituted the earliest settlers at the Bend and its im- 
mediate neighborhood. They purchased their lands of 



Annals of Binghamton. 109 

Mr. Frances, of Philadelphia, whose patent embraced 
this part of Susquehanna county. 

Previously to Maj. Buck's settling at the Bend, there 
was a man by the name of Hoi ton, and some few asso- 
ciates with him— Ganson and Fairbanks were the names 
of two of them— found their way to these banks of the 
Susquehanna, and located themselves for a while upon 
them, living a sort of bucanier life. It is said that they 
fled from Shay's rebellion in Massachusetts, soon after 
the war. Their stay however, was only temporary. They 
are supposed to have killed two Indians that came up 
from Chenango Point, to gather apples from their trees 
at the Bend. These were three large and noted apple 
trees, which stood, and either all or a part do still stand, 
not far from the northern abutment of the bridge.* One 
of these that were slain was called Ben. Shanks. It was 
known that he belonged to the Indians at Chenango 
Point. to 

Antonio — or, as the name is more commonly spelt, 
Antone— the chief of the Indians at Castle Farm, and 
indeed of the Indians of this entire section of country, 
informed Capt. Buck that there were two white persons 
put to death at the Bend. They were prisoners who 
were brought from the Chemung— one was shot in at- 
tempting to make his escape across the river. The oth- 
er was put to death at the " three apple trees," before al- 
luded to. The bones of whom were found and religious- 
ly buried by Capt. Buck. 

One George Andrews and a : Dutchman were taken 
| prisoners, some few years, it is believed, after the war, 
I from near the Delaware, and carried by the Indian^ up 
! the Chenango river, where they intended, it appears, to 
j' execute them. While here, Andrews overheard the In- 
;>dians, who were four or five in number, talking, during 
I the night, among themselves of executing their prison- 
ers the next night or next day. 

* The Indians always called this place Cookquaga, or as ren~ 
dered by them into English " The place of meeting." 



110 Annals of Binglmmton. 

Andrews at a convenient time, made this known to his 
companion, and proposed to him, that they should make 
a desperate attempt to effect their escape. The Dutch- 
man cowardly shrunk from the proposition. Andrews, 
therefore, made no reliance upon his comrade, but laid 
his plan for his escape ; which he effected, by killing, 
nearly or quite, the whole party. 

There was a tribe of Indians, a remnant of the Dela- 
wares, that resided before and during the war, at what is 
now called Deposit. The place was called by the In- 
dians " the Cook House." By this name it was known 
in the time of the Avar. 

Tom Quick is spoken of as a famous Indian hunter, 
though nothing more is known of his history by the 
writer, except so much as this : that his feats were per- 
formed generally upon the Delaware river. Ben Shanks 
and Hotashes, whose names are barely known, not in i 
connection with any event, were roving Indians, that 
were considered as outlaws, and belonging to no particu- 
lar tribe. 

*Antone informed Captain Buck also, that he was ai 
descendant of the Delaware that were defeated in what 
was called the grasshopper war, at Wyoming. Hence 
we learn the chief's origin ; and hence may infer the 
probability that the few of the Delawares that survived! 
that war, settled here at Chenango Point and at Oquago.. 

Capt. Buck is now about eighty years of age, living, 
retiredly seven miles up Snake creek. He retains his- 
mental and bodily faculties to a remarkable degree. It! 
is remarkable, that almost all the revolutionary mem 
have their age, accompanied with unusual vigor of body, 



* Antonio was by some believed to be of the Oneida tribe. Thee 
following circumstance, known to the writer of this note would! 
dispel that belief. In 1812 a theft of some tobacco was traced to ) 
an Indian called Reuben, through the instrumentality of Antonio, , 
who said, " Reub bad Indian ; he Oneida." " Are you not of thatt 
tribe ?'• a bystander remarked. " No," says Antonio ; then straight- 
ening up and laying his hand on his breast, continued, " me On-i 
ondaga, me Christian, me don't steal." 



Annals of BingJiaynton, 111 

and mind, protracted beyond ordinary limits. Captain 
Buck:, as well as his father, served through a consider- 
able portion of the war,engaged particularly against the 
Indians and British on the Mohawk under" General 
Ranselo. 

Oapt. Buck relates the anecdote, that while a part of 
the scene of war lay in the neighborhood of the Mohawk, 
Capt. Brant had straggled from his troops, some little 
distance; and rising a steep hill, when near the top, he 
suddenly met an American officer whom he well knew, 
and who was rising the other side, and had made the 
same approximation towards the top. Thev came very 
suddenly upon each other. They both drew up, instant- 
er, their rifles, with which it seems they were armed, and 
fired ; they then drew their swords ; but before coming 
quite within the reach of these weapons, Capt. Brant 
turned and fled; and the American Colonel at full 
speed after him. The issue of the strife, for some time, 
remained doubtful. The Colonel would gain a little, 
and would come near enough to reach his enemy ; but 
necessarily coming partially to a stand, while making 
the blow, he would lose ground ; which it would take 
fiim some little time to recover. In this manner he 
made several ineffectual passes at Capt, Brant, only 
now and then marking his back with the extreme point 
Df his sword; and at length gave up the chase. These 
;wo men, after the war, met at a treaty, and Capt Brant 
pleasantly remarked to ths Col. that it was not gentle- 
nanly to mark another upon his back. 

Daniel Buck, who has already been spoken of, as first 
n the settlement of the Bend, being of good natural 
parts, and having received, for the times in which he 
ived, a more than ordinary education, though not.class- 
cal ; of a ready utterance also, and possessing a zeal be- 
yond his compeers, for the honor and advancement of 
-he christian religion ; after expressing his desire for the 
nmistry, he was received into that sacred office. Pur- 
uant to this, the Rev. Mr. Badger, a brother to Lemuel 
badger, of Oquago, was sent out from New Concord to 



113 Annah of Binghamtoiu 

ordain Mr. Buck, who was also, by the same Rev. gen- 
tlemen installed the pastor of the Congregational church 

of the place. . .,,-,*. 

This infant church, the earliest instituted of any m 
our entire section, had been organized the year before, 
1789, by a Mr. Stephens from Albany county. It was , 
composed, at first, of the following members : Jonathan 
Bennet, jun., Asa Adams, a Mr. Merryman, Oriah 
Strong, Gratia Strong, Benejah Strong, jun., James Mit- 
chell, and James Mitchell, jun., Moses Bennet, Stephen 
Much, a Mr. Bishop, and Nathaniel Gates, with the: 
wives, generally, of these men. These families must 
have composed nearlv all the settlers of that neighbor- 
hood. Indeed, it is said that, in nearly all the families! 
from the mouth of Snake creek to Harmony, beyond the 
Bend, morning and evening prayers were offered ; and I 
not one family in this whole distance, in which_ there 
was not one or more of the mmbers pious. But m the 
course of five and twenty yearr, instead of nearly all the 
families being pious, not but two or three were to be 
found entitled to that sacred epithet. 

This eleclension took place some years before the death; 
of Mr. Buck, their minister. The causes of so great ai 
change are not particularly known, except we refer it toj 
the general depravity of men. 

The death of Mr. Buck took place in 1814. After' 
this event, infidelitv, by many, was openly and publicly 
avowed; audits abettors went so far, as to hold their 
meetings on the Sabbath, and to read Paine's '-'Age of! 
Reason," to the multitude. They showed their hostility; 
to the christian religion, by attending meetings _ for di- 
vine worship, and either succeeding with their's immed- 
iately, before the christian congregation had elispersed; 
or they would commence before the stated hour of chns^ 
tiai/worship. Meetings then were held in a school 



house, in which the whole community felt they had an 
equal right. The magistrate of the place, however, whet 
took a part in this demoralizing cause, too active for hill 
own interest or lasting reputation, Avas, in consequences 



Annals of Binghamton. llg 

finally deposed from his office. 

The congregation here was destitute of a stated min- 
istry from the death of Mr. Buck until about the year 
1830. In 1824, a Baptist church was formed by Elder, 
and also Judge, Dimmick, of Montrose. 

In the summer of 1827, three or four Indians were 
down from Oneida to the Bend, whose object was to dig 
for treasures, that had long before been hidden. The 
little party consisted of a very old man, one that passed 
passed for his son, and a young female, who passed as 
grand-daughter, and who served as interpreter. The 
treasure which they obtained from digging in different 
places, was said to be considerable. It was carried away 
upon a horse, which they bad brought for the purpose. 
The old Indian must have been one who had formerly 
resided in the parts. 

Putnam Catlin Esq., a gentleman of professional edu- 
cation, settled first, and early, in Oqnago, but for some 
twenty years he has resided at the Great Bend. He has 
a situation of sufficient beauty to be called a seat, upon 
the bank of the Susquehanna, a moderate distance from 
the bridge, and /upon the south side. He is the father 
of the much celebrated George Catlin, who has, beyond 
all controversy, immortalized his name, by his " Indian 
paintings." 

AVhilsttiie vicinity of the Great Bend has not a large 
and flourishing population, with correspondent improve- 
ments, to boast of; it stands upon, and is surrounded 
by, a scenery beautiful as the pencil of nature could well 
have rendered it. The beauty of its scenery will un- 
doubtedly attract to it, as the country becomes settled, 
gentlemen of taste and fortune. 



«-$-* 



CHAPTER XL 



Old Oquago, now Windsor, is distinguished as having.; 

been the ancient dwelling place of a tribe of Indians:; 

evidently, too, for a long series of years. It is situated 

upon the Susquehanna river, near the northeast angle ol 

the Great Bend, fourteen miles in a straight course irouji 

the village of Binghamton. It appears to have been 9, 

half-wav resting place for the "Six Nations," as they 

passed south to Wyoming or its neighborhood ; or foil 

the tribes of the Wyoming valley as they passed north 

Their path over the Oquago mountain, and also over i 

mountain this side, nearer the village, was worn very 

deep, and is still plainly visible. From the point, at thi 

Tillage ol Binghamton, they appear to have uniformly 

struck across to Oquago, instead of following the curv, 

of the great bend of the river. It is a beautiful vale 

from three to four miles in length, and from a mile to 11 

mile and a half in width on both sides of the riveri 

with an easy and nearly regular slope to the top ot tn. 

hills that run parellel with the stream. 

The evidence we have of this great antiquity 
and of its distinction at some date or other 
is from the numerous and valuable trinkets thai 
were found by the whites when they came to dig am 
plow upon its plains. The apple trees also found growm.i 
there, of a very great size, and of apparently great age 
their number, too, and the variety and richness of ttt 
fruit ; all indicated the antiquity and importance o± tiii 
place. A great number of human bones from yanoii 
depths below the surface, were thrown up from time 11 
time. Some of these were of peculiar formation, 



Annals of Binghamton. 115 

skull was found with the lower jaw attached to it, which 
had an entire double row of teeth ; a single row above, 
but all double teeth. 

Deacon Stow, who grew up on these plains, mentions 
two kinds of trinkets which he had often found himself. 
One, of a triangular form about an inch from angle to 
angle, made of silver, and flat, of the thickness of a ten 
cent piece, with a hole near one angle ; supposed to have 
been worn for a pendant, at the nose. Another, of sil- 
ver also, made of a gridiron form, and about the circum- 
ference of a half dollar. Supposed to have been worn at 
the ears. 

There were the remains, or rather the entire form, of 
a fortification, near the river, plainly to be seen by the 
primitive settlers. It was so constructed as to meet the 
enemy from the river. From the appearance of its re- 
cent construction when the whites settled the country, 
the impression was, that it was erected when Gen. Clin- 
ton passed down the river, in his Indian expedition. 
Behind it were found many war implements. It is most 
probable, however, that it was constructed long before 
this, as it does not appear that the Indians made'any re- 
sistance at this place, or even showed themselves. The 
story of them is, that at the time the waters of the Sua- 
hanna were — to them preternaturally — raised to an over- 
flowing of its banks, in consequence of Clinton's break- 
ing away his dam at the outlet of the Lake, they were 
very much alarmed upon observing it, and supposed the 
Great Spirit was about to drown the world ; and at the 

| approach of an army so soon after, they were terrified, 
and fled with precipitaton behind the distant mountains; 
taking tune only to bury their most valuable articles, 

! These they disinterred upon their return ; which, as the 
same tradition says, consisted principally of pewter 

| vases, trinkets, one or two iron kettles and a grindstone. 
If this tradition is true, it is true only of those few 
that remained iu the valley ; the larger part of them, 
embracing their chiefs and warriors, had left at the com- 
mencement of the war, and had joined those of their 



116 Annals of Binghamton. 

brethren that were in arms against the colonies. They 
might have been home the winter previous to the expe- 
dition, as it appears that Capt. Brant, and, most proba- 
bly many others of the chiefs and warriors took up their : 
winter quarters in Oquago. At the commencement of: 
the war, the Indians of this place told their missionary 
— whose name is not now known— to go home ; inform- 
ing him at the same time, that they were about to take i 
up arms against his country. 

The valley of Ohnaquga, as it was anciently spelt, was, 
inhabited by a part of the "Five Nations," sometimes? 
unitedly called the Iroquois. They appear to have been, , 
from time immemorial, piously and virtuously disposed. , 
After an Indian school had been instituted at Stock- 
bridge, by the Scotch Missionary Society, long before 
the time of the French war, the Indians were among; 
the first to resort thither for christain instruction. 
When a large number of them went to Stockbridge, ini 
the time of President Edwards, the sachems of the Mo- 
hawks recommended, in council, to Mr. Edwards to use/ 
them with peculiar care and tenderness, as excelling, 
their own tribe in religion and virtue. 

Mr. Edwards — afterward President of Princeton Col- 
lege — while a minister at Stockbridge, took a deep andi 
lively interest in the Ohnaquagas. He procured fori 
them in this early day, a missionary— a Mr. Hawley — 
accompanied by three other persons, Mr. Woodbridge, 
and Mr. and Mrs. Ashley. Mrs. Ashley, it appears, wass 
employed, during her stay, as interpreter. The three 
latter returned ; but Mr. Hawley remained their mis- 
sionary until the commencement of the French war ; 
when it was considered unsafe for him to remain any 
longer with them. 

About one year previous to this event, Mr. Edwards,^ 
sent one of his sons, a lad of about nine years old, too 
Oquago, under the care oi Mr. Hawley, to learn the In- 
dian language, in view of his becoming an Indian mis- 
sionary. When the French war commenced, a faithful] 
Indian, who had had a special care of the lad, took hirm 



Annals of Binghamton. 117 

at intervals upon his back, and conveyed him safelv to 
his father. This lad was afterward President of Union 
College. 

Notwithstanding all the vicissitudes through which 
these Indians passed, so unfavorable to the existence and 
progress of christian piety; and notwithstanding all 
they had seen in mere nominal christians, so unfavor- 
able to the same, they appear ever after the establish- 
ment of the christian religion among them, to retain a 
predilection for it. 

The valley of Oquago was settled by the whites, about 
the year 1788. The earliest inhabitants were John Doo- 
little, who appears to have been the very first white man 
m settlement, located himself about four miles above 
the present bridge, on the west side of the river, near 
where the widow and son now live. David Hotchkiss 
who appears to have been next, with his two sons^ 
Amraphael and Cyrus, at that time young men, settled 
a little below the bridge, on the west or south west side 
of the river, on the very place where another son of his, 
Frederick Hotchkiss, Esq., now lives. Mr. Hotchkiss 
and his family moved from Waterbury, near New Haven 

SJS?' r? e Came iu the next y ear after John Doolittle,' 
1789. He took up a large tract of land, on both sides 
ot the river, upon which there had been some improve- 
ments, purchasing only the possession of a Mr. Swift 
I his was a little before the land was patented, or, at 
least, before the the patentees were known to 
the settlers. John Oarnsey took up a patent of 1000 
acres next below Mr. Hotchkiss, toward the Pennsylvania 
line. He left this to his sons, of whom there were 
many. They all, however, left. The Ellis' patent came 
next on the river, north, and embraced the land of 
David Hotchkiss. It consisted of seventeen lots of two 
hundred acres each ; of which Mr. D. Hotchkiss took 
ten. _ Next, on the north, was Hammond's patent, em- 
bracing about four or five thousand acres. Secretary 
Harpur came next in his patent, extending to Jericho, 
L-Bambridge], a distance of eight or nine miles. 



118 Annuls of Hinyhaniton. 

To the honor of Secretary Harpur, it may here be re- 
lated, that, for one or two years, he paid the taxes for 
all those who had taken up land upon his patent, say- 
ing to the collector, as he came round, "the people upon 
my tract are poor, but industrious; I will therefore 
help them." 

The same year in which David Ilotchkiss came, there i 
tame several other families ; and the year following, , 
several more ; and, indeed, every following year added 
to their number. The location of these early settlers | 
was nearly as follows: On the east side of the river, , 
as the traveller came down from Jericho, the first in- 
habitant to be met with was Lemuel Badger; the next 
his brother Edmund; next, John and Jacob Spring- 
steen ; next was ("apt. James Knox. He would next 
meet with the habitation of William Moore and Isaac 
Churcher, near the old Fort ; next was John Stuart, at 
revolutionary man, who died in consequence of over- 
eating, in the time of the great scarcity; next, Edward I 
Russell.; and Asa Judd, next to Mr. llussell. Below 
the present bridge was Nathan Lane, Esq. ; and next to> 
him was Azariah Hatch. Crossing the river, and re- 
turning upon its western side, our traveller would first i 
meet with Ebenezer Garnsey, Maj. John Garnsey, a Dr.. 
Garnsey, and a Mr. Potter ; all living on the Garnsey 
patent. Next to these Avas Judge George Harpur, who 
lived about one half mile below the bridge. It was ai 
son of Judge Harpur, that was shot, as he was passing; 
through the beech woods, by Treadwell; an event still! 
fresh in the memory of many. Mr. David Ilotchkiss'' 
location was next. Mr. II. was noted for his generosity t 
to the poor; refusing often, in time of scarcity, to sell I 
grain to those who had money ; but letting it go to those 
who had none. He was the first magistrate appointedl 
in the place. Next to him was Maj. Josiah Stow, about! 
one mile and a half above the bridge ; next above Maj. 
Stow's was Jonathan Andrus ; and last upon the west! 
side, in the settlement, was John and Abel Doolittle. 

The most of these early inhabitants of Oquago came. 



Annuls of Bingharnton. 119 

from Wafcerbury, in NW Haven county, Conn., and 
Watertown, m Litchfield county, Conn. 

Mr. Josiah Stow, who generally went by the name 
of Major Stow, as he had borne that office in the French 
war, and was well entitled to its honor, came from Dan- 
bury, m Conn. So did also the rest of the Stow family. 
On Maj. Stow's location were a great number of the 
ancient apple trees, of which we have just spoken 
Iney were of a great size; some of which are standing 
to this day. Ihe opinion of the first settlers with re- 
gard to the age of these trees, was, that they must be 
nearly or quite a hundred years old, at the time of the 
settlement Ihe fruit was of an excellent quality, and 
of various kinds. Some of the apples were large enough 
to weigh a pound; and were fair and round. Thev 
stood without order— as is generally the case in Indian 
orchards— and their bodies ran up, with but few or no 
limbs; very high ; showing, evidently, they had grown 
up in a forest. As a great number of human bones were, 
m alter years, plowed up from under these trees, the 
supposition is natural, that here was their burying 
ground. They evidently paid great respect to their ap- 
ple trees, partly, it may be, because they shaded the 
graves of their fathers. 

An anecdote is told of Maj. Stow, which may be 
thought, by some, to favor this opinion of the ground 
of their reverence. It at least illustrates the courage 
and firmness of Ihe man : 

In the early part of the Major's residence here, he, one 
lay towards evening, observed an Indian, with his 
riatchet, girdling one of these ancient apple trees upon 
us premises ; upon which he went immediately to him, 
iiid demanded, in a stern voice, what he was doing, and 
;he reason of his conduct. The Indian made some re- 
:>ly, in his own tongue, of which Mr. Stow could only 
inderstand the word "Sullivan, Sullivan," and which 
;he Indian repeated several times. The Major corn- 
nan ded him to desist ; but the latter continued hack- 
ng the tree. He then told the Indian he should blow 



Annals of Bingliamton. 120 

him through, if he did not. He had his rifle in his 
hand ; so also had the Indian, his lying near him upon 
the ground. The Indian cast his eye, several times, first 
at his rifle, and then at Maj. Stow ; but observing him 
prepared to fire, and his brow knit with resolution, he 
desisted; thinking it not worth while to risk his life for 
the sake of killing the tree, nor wise to engage at such 
fearful odds. He went down to his canoe at the bank, 
and sullenly made off, down the river. The Major, 
however, was cautious enough to follow the Indian at an 
invisible distance behind, for a mile or more, lest the 
Indian should turn back and fire upon him. He many 
times remarked afterwards, that this was the only In- 
dian he was ever afraid of. 

The probability is, the savage had come there with 
the design — and who can wonder at it — of girdling those 
venerable trees, now in the possession of strangers and 
enemies, the fruit of which his own tribe for a half cen- 
tury or more had eaten. 

Samuel Stow, the elder, and father of the present Dea- 
con Stow, came in at a later period, in 1793. 

In about the year 1794, there was what was called the 
pumpkin freshet, in the month of August ; the Susque- 
hanna rising much above its usual height, and sweeping 
down in its tide the productions of the fields ; corn, pum- 
pkins, potatoes, &c. A great scarcity was the natural con- 
sequence. During this scarcity, Maj. Stow shouldered a , 
bushel of wheat, in which the whole neighborhood had 
a share, and started for Wattles' ferry to mill, a distance i 
of more than forty miles, carrying his grist the whole 
distance on foct. He got his wheat ground, and return- 
ed in the same trudging manner. During his journey 
he purchased one quarter of a pound of tea — at that 
time a rare article with the settlers — to help out the re- 
past, which he anticipated at his return. Upon his ar- 
rival home, the neighbors, who held an interest in the ) 
grist of wheat — and most probably others also — collect- 
ed at the Major's house, to hold a sort of thanksgiving ;; 
which was to be celebrated by preparing and partaking: 



Annals of Binghamton. 121 

of as sumptuous a feast, as their stores would admit. 
Out of the flour they made short-cake ; but having no 
hog's lard, they would have come short of this luxury, 
had not the Major bethought himself of some bear's 
grease, which lie had in the house, and which answered 
as a substitute. Their tea was quite a new article to 
them, for which they were not prepared. They had no 
teakettle, no teapot, no teacups. Instead of the first, a 
small kettle was furnished to boil the water in ; they 
put the tea into the same to steep it; and instead of 
cups and saucers, they used a wooden bowl, which they 
passed around from one to the other. Still they made a 
merry cheer of it ; felt the glow of sociability, and told 
each his best anecdote. These early inhabitants, when 
they became old, would tell the story to their children 
and more recent inhabitants, with moistened eyes ; but 
said, it was then a heart-felt thanksgiving and a merry 
time. 

The inhabitants of Oquago since, have at times, been 
reduced to such straits for the want of bread, that the 
temporary relief given by a loaf or a cake, has been fol- 
lowed by tears of gladness. 

Wattles' ferry — or rather beyond, some number of 
miles, at Bennet's mills — was the place to which the in- 
habitants were obliged to resort for milling their grain, 
until a gristmill was built, some eight or ten miles be- 
yond Deposit, at a place then called the city. Although 
this was a great distance — it would be supposed at this 
day — to go to mill, still it was but little more than half 
the distance to the former place. 

In about the year '97, being eight or nine years after 
the settlement of the place, the inhabitants found them- 
selves able to erect mills among themselves. Mr. Lane 
built the first gristmill. He built a sawmill about the 
same time. Mr. Doolittle built a sawmill but a 
short time after. According to the recollection of 
some, Mr. Doolittle built his sawmill previous to 
Mr. Lane's building his. Amraphael Hotchkiss built 
the first mills upon the Susquehanna, Secretary Har- 
6 



1#$ Annals of Binghamton. 

pur,* while he resided in New York, sent a woman, in 
1792, to superintend the building of a gristmill and saw- 
mill upon his patent, by the name of Peggy Ludlowi 
She proved, though a woman, an efficient agent, in com 
ducting that part of his business. David Hotchkiss 
built the first framed barn, which is yet standings 
They now began to have the conveniences of life mora 
within their own neighborhood. As the productions oi! 
their land began to increase to a surplus, a market was 
opened for them at Deposit, on the Delaware, and the 
surrounding neighborhood ; as the inhabitants of this> 
latter section were turning their attention, as they set- 
tled, to lumbering, instead of clearing and cultivating 
the ground. The inhabitants of Oqnago have, from the. 
beginning, been cultivators of the soil. The legitimate 
consequences of this divinely appointed employment! 
are said to be happily exemplified in the superior hap+ 
pmess and morality, if not the prosperity, of the place. 

The first christian society formed in Oqua^o, was 
Presbyterian ; and this was early formed. It was the 
nursery, of many eminently pious persons of both sexes* 

No tribe of Indians was found living in the vici- 
nity when first settled. There were a few scattering 
ones, individuals and families, residing in the parts,- 
who remained for some number of years. The Indians 
who professed to reside at the Castle farm, had their 
range, it appears, from the Forks to the Point, on the 
Chenango Kiver; and from Windsor to Great Bend; 
down to Union on the Susquehanna ; and the same In- 
dians were familiarly known in all these places. 

Other settlers, though not so early as those who have 
been mentioned, should be recorded. Jasper Edwards^ 
settled next above Mr. Stuart, on the same side of the 
river. Me was taken by the Indians at Minnisink and! 
carried to Canada; but afterwards made his escape; 

His descendants are still in the place. Elmore Bus- 
sell, the father of the present Elmore Eussell, was am 

* Robert Harpur was Secretary of State, while Grover Cliatonn 
was Governor of New York in 1791. 



Annals of Binghamton. 123 

early settler. He served throughout the revolutionary 
war ; hut in the later part of it, he ran away and enlist- 
ed on board a man-of-war, under Commodore Trnxton ; 
was taken a prisoner off the coast of the Bermudas, and 
lay in irons seventeen days. He survived all this, how- 
ever, and lived co be surrounded with a family. His 
daughter, when a little girl, found a large ring, which 
was supposed to have been once the ornament of some 
chief's daughter. As it was too large for her finger, she 
wore it upon her great-toe. When upon a visit to Con- 
necticut, she ascertained that it was of pure gold. 

Henry Eichards is mentioned as one of the earliest 
settlers. He located himself where his son now lives. 
Mr. Eichards bought the lot that the Indians gave to 
Amos Draper. He came from Wyoming about the same 
time that Capt. Leonard did. Five years elapsed from 
the time of his first coming into the place before he dare 
bring his family ; so apprehensive had he learned to be, 
pi the danger of a family in the neighborhood of Indians. 

Nathaniel Cole, the father of the present Nathaniel 
Dole, the Innkeeper of Colesville, was the first settler of 
^hat place, a small vicinity about four miles north of 
Windsor. Judge Harpur* was also a very early settler 
there. Lemuel Badger was also among the first ; the 
father of Luther Badger, Esq., a former member of Con- 
gress. Secretary Harpur was also an early settler, 
hough not among the first. Putnam Catlin, now resid- 
ng at the Great Bend, was an early settler at Oquago. 

Philip Weeks, who lives four miles below the bridge, 
)n the river road, was, when four years old, brought by 
lis grandfather and mother from Wyoming, immediate- 
y after the great massacre. He remembers the catast- 
rophe distinctly. His grandfather, then an old man, the 
lay after the battle, was seated in a chair without the door 
)f his son's house. A fierce looking Indian came up 
md told the old man he must leave, or his house would 

* Judge Harpur was appointed one of the Judges of the Court 
>f Common Pleas as early as 1807. He was in no way related to 
Secretary Harpur. 
6* 



%%& Annals of Binghamton. 

be burnt down in fifteen minutes, over his head. The i 
Indian, with some others, were driving away about forty? 
head of cattle, and had just ordered one to go and bring; 
a yoke of cattle, belonging to his son. The old man 1 
told him he could not move, without a yoke of oxen to) 
move away with. The Indian bid the old man to go ini 
and bring out a table and a bottle of whiskey; whichi 
old Mr. Weeks did. The Indian refused the old gentle- 
his own oxen, but allowed him an inferior pair out off 
the drove. The old man immediately set about loading; 
up thecart with the few goods they were allowed to take 
away. Upon the top of these he set his daughter-in- 
law, who, the day before, had been made a widow, and! 
with her, eleven grand-children, and drove the cart him- 
self. With these relics of a numerous family and comfort- 
able fortune, he made his way, slowly and painfully, in- 
to Orange county. Philip Weeks was one of these 
children. He remembers that Wilksbarre was burning: 
as they passed. He remembers seeing his mother cry- 
ing in the morning of the day they started, after the' 
news of his father's death had reached her. His fatheri 
had likewise two brothers killed, and his mother one. 
His mother afterward married a Mr. Bennet, brother to 
the Mr. Bennet that was taken captive with Esq. Ham- 
mond, at Meshoppin. 

Mr. Roswell Higley, who should have been mention- 
ed before, was quite an early settler in Oquago. He 
came from Ballstown, and located himself about a half) 
a mile above the old fort. Two or three years after hiss, 
settlement, there came to Mr. Higley's a chief, with; 
some other Indians, desiring the privilege of lodging and! 
eating in his house, while they should be engaged in dig- 
ging for some brass kettles, which they said they had 1 
buried in the neighborhood. They went daily to the 
task of their search, and found a number. And wheiu 
they left, they said there were others, which they had! 
not found. Others were found afterward in the neigh- 
borhood of their digging. Isaac G-. Higley, the soSj, 
says the chief always asked a blessing before iWr meals,, 



Annah of Binghamton. 125 

while the Indians remained in his father's house. 

The bridge at Windsor was built in 1825. 

The Presbyterian meeting house., of this place, was 
erected in 1800. The Methodist house of worship, m 
1833. 

An Episcopal church was organized in Windsor as 
early as the year 1803, by the present Bishop Chase, of 
New Jersey, then missionary in the western part of New 
York. This was the earliest Episcopal church formed 
in this entire section of country ; and was the remote 
origin of the present Episcopal church in Harpersville. 
The church was organized in Mr. Abel Doolittle's house, 
where he now lives. The first members were Mr. Abel 
Doolittle and his wife, with four children baptised; 
Daniel Merwin, Mr. Knapp, and Mr. Isaac Euggles. 

The first minister of the gospel that preached in 
Windsor, was the Rev. Mr. Buck, sometimes, by the 
early inhabitants, called Maj. Buck; as he had held 
that office in the revolutionary war. Mr. Willston, a 
missionary from Connecticut, appears to have been the 
next. He is, according to the best recollection, suppos- 
ed to have formed the Presbyterian church there. Soon 
after the formation of the church, the Rev. Seth Sage 
became the settled minister, and remained the pastor 
for many years; even to the time of his death. 



CHAPTER XII. 

The region of country on the Chenango, near and 

iftfcout what is called "The Forks," and also upon its 

! Onondaga branch, was settled about the time, or very 

| soon after, the settlement made by Capt, Leonard, Col. 

1 Rose, and the two Mr. Whitneys. Thomas Gallop was 

the first white man in this part of the settlement. He 

located himself just at the lower Forks. He was found 

living a sort of a hermit life, by Mr. John Barker, the 



136 Annals of Binghamton. 

next white man in the settlement, living at this time in 
the " treaty house." Mr. Barker purchased of . Mr. 
Gallop his improvements, and took up his residence, 
with his family, in the treaty house. Gallop soon after, 
it is believed, left the region. This treaty house, as it 
was called, had been erected for the accommodation of the 
treaty, held at this place with the Indians, by the com- 
missioners of the Boston company. The house stood near 
where the present toll-house of the bridge stands; rather 
north west of it, in the orchard. It was a large double 
log house. 

The lower Forks are formed by the Chenango and the 
Tiouglmioga — a name given the waters of the Onon- 
daga, from the mouth of the Otselic to their union with 
the Chenango. Tne upper Forks, which are ten or 
twelve miles above, are formed by the Onondaga and 
the Otselic. 

A Mr. Lampeer was the first man that ventured a dis- 
tance up the Tiouglmioga. He settled seven miles up 
that stream. Gen. John Patterson, one of the proprie- 
tors of the Boston company, settled very early, probably 
next to Lampeer, at the upper Forks ; now called Whit- 
ney's Point, and precisely where Thomas Whitney now 
lieves. Gen. Patterson had been Brigadier General in 
the revolutionary war. He was a man of liberal educa- 
tion, and refined accomplishments. He never became 
wealthy in this new country, but was highly revered- in 
the vicinity, as one well qualified to lead in their public 
matters. 

Simeon Rogers, who married, after coming into the 
parts, the daughter of John Barker, settled where he i 
now lives, on the north east side of the Tiouglmioga,, 
scant one mile from its month. 

Besides these, those that deserve to be mentioned as^ 
early settlers, were — commencing from Mr. Rogers' and I 
following the Tiouglmioga up — John Allen ; then Asai 
Beach ; then Solomon Rose, the brother of Col. Williami 
Rose, on the north side; then Gen. Patterson, already? 
mentioned ; next him was David Cornwall ; Ebenezerr 



Annals of Bingkamton, 127 

Tracy, on the Onondaga ; Moses Adams ; James Rich- 
ards, on the north side ; Mr. Wheatou, on the north side 
also; Thomas and Ebenezer Green, on the east side of 
the Otselic ; Jonathan Cowdry and Robert Parce on the 
opposite side of the last stream mentioned. Nearly all of 
these persons migrated from Stockbridge, and other 
parts of Berkshire county, Mass. 

John and David Seymour came in also early, and settled 
on the south west side of the Tioughnioga, a little below 
General Patterson's ; Dr. Wheeler was early in, and the 
earliest physician in this part of the little settlement ; 
Esq. Patterson settled near his father, General 
Patterson ; and Gen. Samuel Coe was the farthest 
inhabitant up the Onondaga, on the north east side ; up- 
on the Otselic there settled also, in early day, a nephew 
of John Barker ; three Messrs. Smith, Jacob, Benjamin 
William ; a Mr. Shepherd, also, who became afterward a 
Baptist preacher. 

Upon the south east side of the Tioughnioga and the 
Onondaga, the land belonged to the Boston purchase. But 
upon the opposite side, and as far east as the Chenango 
river, it constituted the patent of Mr. Hornby, in Eng- 
land. This patent embraced 90,000 acres. Col. William 
Smith, who married the daughter of elder John Adams, 
and was also Secretary to that gentleman while in Eng- 
land as Minister, became the agent for Mr. Hornby, 
both iu purchasing a tract and in disposing of it. His 
brother Justus, however, after a few years, became the 
principal acting agent. From this patent the early set- 
tlers, who located upon the tract, took the title of their 
land. 

Upon the Chenango, above the mouth of the Tiough- 
nioga, there was no settlement for a number of years, 
after the period of which we have been speaking ; and 
why it should have been so long unoccupied and unim- 
proved is not known, 

When this particular section first became settled, 
there were a number of Indians here, and a number of 
wigwams. They appear, howeyer, all of them, to haye 



1#8 Annals of Binghamtow, 

belonged to the general tribe or community, found, upon 
the two valleys ; having their particular home and head 
quarters at the Castle farm- Mrs. Rogers, who has been 
spoken of as a daughter of John Barker, and who came 
in with her father's family when about fourteen years of 
age, was, while young and at home with her father, a 
very great favorite with them. The squaws would often 
solicit her company to go with them after whortleber- 
ries and other fruit. By being thus often with them, 
she acquired a knowledge of their peculiarities, and a 
familiarity with their savage and forbi icling appearance, 
which, in a great measure, removed from her all fears of 
them, and prepared her for encounters which she after* 
ward had with them. 

Mr, Simeon Rogers, her husband, in a very early day, 
as soon as the roads were opened sufficiently to be trav^ 
elled, kept a public house, and particularly liquor to 
sell. This exposed her, especially when alone, to dan* 
ger from the Indians. One day, as she was along in her 
house with an infant babe that was sitting upon the 
floor, nine Indians came suddenly in- She knew them. 
One of them, by the name of David, and whom she dis- 
covered to be much intoxicated, asked her for a gill of 
rum, She promptly refused him. He instantly sprung 
towards her with his knife drawn, She, at the same in* 
gtant, without being conscious of what she did, threw her 
arms around another of the Indians, who stood nearest 
her, and who happened to be young Antonio, the son of 
the old chief. IJe immediately took her part, and fell 
upon David ; threshed and kicked him severely ; then 
took him out of doors and dragged him to a distance 
and bid him to lie there. The other Indians all left the 
house soon, and drunken David they left behind, under 
an interdict of not moving from his place, for a specified 
time, They had not been long gone before Mrs. Roger§ 
gaw, to her v still greater terror, David making his way 
back to the house, with his face painted, one side blacfe 
and the other side red, and his tomahawk and knife 
drawn, This she knew to denote, murder ; and what 



Annate of Binghamton. 129 

to do she knew not. Courage, she thought, would most 
likely defend her ; she therefore remained in the house 
till he came up : or rather — according to present im- 
pression — she stepped without the door, to give herself 
a chance to run, if necessary; leaving her babe within, 
as she had not time to take it up. He asked where 
Antonio was. She said he Avas upon the other side of 
the house ; and pretended to run and call him. But 
really ran down towards the river where her husband 
and his brother were at work, some quarter or half mile 
from the house. Her calls were heard ; and her hus- 
band not apprehending at all what was the matter, sent 
his brother. She informed him; and they both moved 
towards the house. When they arrived, they found the 
savage David in the house waiting for the liquor, which 
he was determined to have. He had not molested the 
child. Mrs. Rogers' brother-in-law bid him, in a man- 
ner which carried force with it, to be gone. He cleared, 
without a reply. He was a fierce and troublesome In- 
dian, even among his own kindred ; and was supposed 
to be shot afterward by one whose life he had threaten- 
ed. He had shot one Indian not long before he threat- 
ened Mrs. Rogers. 

Another Indian encounter she had: One morning 
it was, an Indian whom she had never seen before, came 
in and asked for a drink of rum. Apprehending some 
difficulty if she should refuse him, she let him have one 
gill. Mr. Charles Stone had been travelling some dis- 
tance from home, and on his return was taking break- 
fast at the time. The Indian, after receiving his dram, 
went away; but soon returned for more. She gave him 
another gill, as she was alone now, and afraid to deny 
him. He went away the second time, but soon return- 
ed for a quart ; she filled his bottle. Sometime early in 
the afternoon he was back for more — to have his bottle 
filled the second time. She now mustered courage to 
refuse him, supposing him to be so drunk as not to be 
particularly feared. He instantly — for he did not prove 
so drunk as she supposed— drew his knife, and threaten- 



l'JO Annah of liinghaniton. 

ed her life. As she had begun, she w;is determined to 
carry her refusal through. She was within the bar, the 
door of which was very narrow, and the Indian standing 
immediately in it. .Justin the, height of her danger, a 
neighbor, whom she well knew, passed upon horseback; 
or rather rode up to <he door, as it was his intention to 
stop. Ee instantly asked, "what is the matter?" she 
replied her Life was threatened by that Indian. The In- 
dian lied as the man dismounted. I Le was not pursued, 
as the danger, by the man especially, was apprehended 
to be over. After having fed his horse, this neighbor 
was placing the bridle upon his horse, when Mrs. Rog- 
ers, who was looking out lor the probable return of the 
Indian, saw him rushing towards the man, who did not 
observe him. By a timely scream, she roused the man 
to his danger. He made his escape the second time, 
and was no more seen. Mrs. Rogers thinks the Indian 
intended to strike down the man, and then turn and 
dispatch her. She remarks, thai these encounters were 
so terrifying, and left such an impression, that she 
never after recovered her former spirit and courage to- 
wards them. 

Mrs. Rogers remarks, that when the country was yet 
new, and the inhabitants remote from each other, that 
pains would be taken, in their neighborhood visiting, to. 
have a day appropriated ; and all, except those who 
could not leave home, to meet at the same place ; and 
those who were from the remotest parts to stay over 
night and spend more or less of the next day. These 
parties, she states, were enjoyed with far more than mod- 
ern zest and social fellowship. That feelings of interest 
and happiness mantled their bosoms, which now, in her 
estimation, have scarcely a parallel. 

Judge James Stoddard, a brother of Gen. Oringh 
Stoddard, settled very early in this neighborhood ; and, 
it is believed, on the west side of (he Tioughnioga ; a Mr. 
Olark, also, near him ; a Mr. Dudley settled on the same 
side of that river, and north of a small stream that emp- 
ties into the Tioughnioga, and some distance north of 
Whitney's Point. 



AnnaU of Binghcwnton, l.'U 

This point or juncture, is formed by the Onondaga 
and the Otselic, and is called after Mr. Thomas Whitney, 
who own- the bridge al this place, the mills also, and a 
largo Landed property in the neighborhood. He settled 
herein the year L802. Upon the former stream Mr. 
Edward Edwards and Major David Manning settled in 
the year I 705. 

Mr. Edwards is still living; and indeed not aged, if 
appearances are a criterion. He is grandson of tne dis- 
tinguished President Edwards, one of the early presi- 
dentg of Princeton College; and so well known us a 
theological writer, and for bis preeminently pious life. 
He was a first consin to Col. Aaron Burr, and was 
brought up in the same family with him. Col. Burr's 
father, who was either the first or second president also 
uf Princeton College, married the daughter of President 
Edwards, who was the mother of Col. Burr, and the aunt 
of Mr. B. Edwards. Col. Burr was deprived of* both his 
parents, who died of the small pox. while he himself was 
quit/; young. He and his sister were taken into the 
family of Mr. Edwards' father, who then lived in Eliza- 
bethtown, N. J. In this family CoL Burr remained, 
when not at school or college, unf.il he was grown. Mr. 
Edwards remarks, that he remembers to have seen his 
father, on one occasion in particular, chastise his cousin 
for some of his mischievous tricks. How much the loss 
of Col. Burr's father and mother, while he was soyoung, 
may have contributed towards his blasted fortune and 
reputation, is not easy to determine. 

Mr. Edwards was also an early member of the state 
Legislature. His membership was in the time ofG-ov. 
Jay's administration. \\ ! - relates an anecdote of Alex- 
ander Hamilton, who was also, at this time, a member 
of the Legislature. Gtov. Jay had given a public dinner 
to t j j <-- members. After the cloth was removed^ and 
they were taking their wine, the Governor asked Mr. 
Hamilton to give a toast At this period theehoieeof 
President was pending between Jeffersonand Burr; and 
it had already devolved upon the house of Congress to 



13$ Annals of Binghamton. 

decide the great question. Mr. Hamilton filled his glass 
and said, "May our government not fall a victim to the 
visionary dreams of a Condorsett" — a leader in the 
French revolution — " nor to the crimes of a Cataline." 
Evidently meaning, by the latter, Aaron Burr. John 
Swartwout, another member, who sat near Mr. Hid wards, 
said, with an oath, but in something of an under tone, 
"Hamilton shall bleed for that." He was a particular 
friend of Aaron Burr. Mr. Edwards, who was partial 
to Mr. Hamilton, could not but blame him for what he 
had implied in his toast. 

A Congregational church was organized in what is 
called Lisle, in the year 1797, by the Rev. Seth Willis- 
ton, who had, a short time previously, been sent there by 
the Connecticut Missionary Society, upon the personal 
application of Mr. Edwards. The church consisted, in its 
first formation, of sixteen members, eleven of whom 
were by profession. In 1801, William Osborn was elect- 
ed to the office of a deacon ; but it was not till 1810 
that he was consecrated by the imposition of hands 
from the Presbytery ; and his colleague, Andrew Squires, 
was consecrated at the same time. 

Mr. Williston employed about half of hi3*time in pas- 
toral duties in this congregation ; the rest of his time 
he missionated in Union, Owego, and in Oquago. He 
was installed pastor of the church in Lisle, in October, 
1803; and from this within the pastoral limits of 
this one congregation, until he was dismissed from it, 
in 1810. 

The church of Lisle, was the earliest organized, it is 
believed, of any west of the Catskill and south of TJtica. 
At the time of Mr. Williston's installation, the council 
organized what was then called " The Susquehanna As- 
sociation," taking in some of the northern counties of 
Pennsylvania. 

In the year 1796, Mr. E. Edwards built the first- saw- 
mill on the Onondaga or its waters ; and was nearly, if 
not quite, the first that came down the Chenango with 
a raft. He subsequently carried on lumbering to a 



Annals of Mnghamton. - 133 

great extent; and the pine timber of that section being 
of a superior quality, compensated for his being so far 
back from the broader stream of the Susquhanna. 

The first grist-mill was built much later, by Dr. 
Wheeler. Previous to this, the inhabitants came down 
to Castle creek for their grinding ; and when that mill 
failed for want of water, they were obliged to go to 
Tioga Point. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

The first person who settled in the vicinity of the pre- 
sent village of Greene, as near as can now be determined, 
was Conrad Sharp, a Dutchman. He settled about two 
miles above the village. His location determined a 
number of other Dutchmen to come in, which formed 
quite a Dutch neighborhood. The settlement of Mr. 
Sharp took place about 1794. 

Others, entitled to the name of early settlers, were, 
principally, Stephen Ketchum, David Bradley, Derick 
Race, Joseph Tillson, who came in aloae and naked- 
handed, save but an axe upon his shoulder. He has, it 
ib said, cut for himself, however, since that day, a large 
estate ; Mr. Gray, a Baptist elder ; Elisha Smith was 
also an early settler, and also an agent, for a number of 
years, in behalf of the Hornby patent. He surveyed the 
town of Greene, and laid out the village. 

The first white inhabitants upon the site of this vil- 
lage, were the French emigrants, who fled their own 
country, to escape the terrors of the revolution. The 
number of families that composed this little band of 
emigrants, was somewhere between seven and ten. 
Under what circumstances they left their own country 
s not particularly known ; nor is it known bv what 



134* AnnaU of Binghamton. 

means they became acquainted with that part of Chen- 
ango valley upon which they located ; nor, indeed, is it 
known the precise time when they first pitched their 
tents here. 

The earliest one upon the ground appears to have 
been Simon Barnet, who, by the by, was not from 
France, but from the West Indies. He was a Creole. 
He was immediately from Philadelphia, and was very 
likely, sent by the French company, as pioneer for; 
them. 

None of these emigrants were titled gentlemen in 
their own country; but respectable, on the score of pro- 
perty and intelligence. They did not, however, bring ai 
great deal of wealth with them, but on the contrary,, 
were comparatively poor. One of their number, M* 
Dutremont, was a man of considerable wealth, and of I 
very considerable talents and learning. He is spoken of I 
as possessing shining abilities. It was he that contracted I 
for the land upon which they settled. They chose the 
east side of the Chenango, directly opposite the prin- 
cipal part of the village of Greene, which is on the westl 
side. The site is a beautiful elevation, standing ab©ve 
an acclivity from the river, with a romantic scenery — as- 
the country cleared— around. The purchase was made 
of William W. Morris and Malachi Treat, the patentees 
of the land. The patent embraced a tract of 30,000 acres,, 
lying upon the east side of the Chenango river. 

The name of another of these exiled emigrants was* 
Charles Felix Barlogne. Capt. Juliand, the father oft 
the two Mr. Juliands, present merchants in Greene, was*, 
another. He came into the settlement a little after the 
first company, in the year 1797. He had spent a mari- 
time life previously, as sea captain. Log houses weret 
built for all the families ; and provision often carried! 
there from the neighborhood of Chenango Point. Theree 
undoubtedly was a vast difference in the circumstances* 
of these families here from what they had been in thein 
own country. But it is remarked of Frenchmen, as | 
national characteristic, that they can more easily and 



Annah of Binghamton. 135 

more cheerfully bend down to a reverse of fortune, than 
almost any other people. 

In the year 1794 or 7 5, the much celebrated Talley- 
rand during his stay in the United States, visited his 
exiled brethren at this place. On his way at this time 
he passed one night at Oapt. SawtelFs,* whose house the' 
hospitable master made free for the lodging and enter- 
tainment of travellers, before there was any public house 
opened m the place. Mr. Benjamin Sawtell, who was 
then a lad, remembers distinctly his staying at his fath- 
er s. He savs M. Talleyrand was accompanied bv an- 
other French gentleman ; that the guests and his father 
talked during the evening, on the subject of the Catho- 
lic religion. He had taken a sylvan jaunt on horseback 
in company with the other French gentleman, from Phil- 
adelphia to Albany, and made thie visit on his way It 
is believed that he tarried a number of days, if not weeks 
at this place. And when he left, having become ac- 
quired with the son of M. Dutremont, and discerned 
talents m him which particularly interested this oreat 
statesman, he obtained the consent of the parents, and 
took him with him. Young Dutremont accompanied 
lalleyrand to France, and became his private Secretary 
Talleyrand was of noble birth ; of an ancient, but not 
wealthy, family. He was club-footed; on which ac- 
count his father devoted him in early life to the church 
ind educated him for the same. He became bishop of 
^utun, though he had a great aversion to the sacred 
>mce. In the early part of his life, during his youthful 
md ardent days, he was eminently dissolute in his habits, 
ie rendered himself conspicuous at court bv his insin- 
lating manners ; took an active part in the*French re- 
solution ; fell under the censure of the Jacobins, while 
n England on a mission ; and being looked upon as a 
r :py by the discerning Mr. Pitt, he was obliged to seek 
'jefuge 111 the United States. 

I The settlement^ these French emigrants most pro- 
|ably would have been permanent, had not the leading 
* The present site of Port Dickinson. 



136 Annals of Binghamton. 

member of that little band, M. Dutremont, been cut off 
from them, by an untimely death. In the act of ford- 
ing a river on horseback, on his way to Philadelphia, he 
was drowned. This event deranged their financial af- 
fairs. He had not paid for the land they then had in 
possession, and upon which they resided. In conse- 
quence of engagements not being met, it reverted back 
into the patentees. The emigrants became discouraged ; 
and after a few years, at most, left their present loca- 
tion and the improvements they had made, and moved 
down below Towanda, at a place called French town— 
now f Asylum— where there was also another French 
settlement, and became themselves a constituent part of 
it. How many ot these original families returned to 
France, is not known. 

Capt. Juliand did not leave with the rest of his French 
brethren, but remained in Greene. He was an efficient 
man in all that he undertook. His seafaring life quali- 
fied him to brave, without discouragement, the hard- 
ships of a new settlement. To Captain Juliand and to 
Judge Elisha Smith is given the credit of laying the 
foundation of the village of Greene, and of its subse- 
quent prosperity. 

The village of Greene was laid out into a village form 
in the year 1806. At first, it Look the name of Hornby, 
after the patentee, within whose landed territory thi 
village was located ; but after a few years it took lti 
present name, in honor of the distinguished Gen. Greene,, 
of revolutionary fame. Its surveyed limits were at firstl 
confined to the west side of the Chenango, but now ex- 
tend on both sides. The country which surrounds the 
village is rather beautiful than picturesque or romantic ;; 
and the country and village taken together, strike the< 
eve of the traveller in a manner that is sure to affect, if J 
not charm, his imagination. The whole scene is morejt 
than ordinary beautiful ; and this must always remainii 
the case, while there is village and country to look upon,) 
The two also appear like giving growth, and beauty, and 
wealth* to each other. 



Annals of Binghamton. 137 

Greene is fourteen miles south of Oxford, and nine- 
teen miles north of Binghamton. The village is, in it- 
self, one mile east and west, and about the same distance 
from north to south. It has within it three churches, 
eleven stores, two taverns, and one large district school! 
The water of the Chenango is employed at the place in 
propelling one large grist-mill of live run of stones, and 
of uncommon reputation for the flour it manufactures ; 
one saw-mill, and one clothing factory. The stage route 
from Oatskill to Ithaca passes through this place, upon 
which there is a daily line ; and also the stage road from 
Utica to Binghamton passes through it. 

There were no Indians in this paticular section, when 
first settled by the whites. But we have to record a 
most remarkable mound, the relic of Indian superstition 
and industry. There are now to be seen only some im- 
perfect traces of it. It was situated about two miles 
south of the village, and about thirty rods from the 
river bank ; on what is now the farm of Mr. Lott, The 
mound, before it was dug down or ploughed over, was 
about six or seven feet above the surface of the ground, 
and forty feet in diameter; being nearly circular. 
There was also, till within a few years, a large pine 
stump in the centre of it, the remains of a large pine 
tree which was standing when the whites came in. It 
was then, however, a dead tree. When it was cut down 
there were counted 180 concentric circles or yearly 
growths. Estimating the age of the mound by the 
concentric circles of the stump, it must have over 300 
years old when this section of the country was settled. 
An examination of this mound was made in 1829, by 
'digging* and there were found human bones to a great 
inumber; and lower from the surface, there were found 
Ibones that had been evidently burnt ; suggesting the 
idea, that the mode of disposing of the dead, when these 
bones were deposited, was burning the dead body. No 
conjecture could be formed as to the number of bodies 
jburied here. They were found lying without order, 

mj much jumbled, and m far decayed as to crumble, 



138 Annals of Bingltamtcm. 

or fall apart, when brought to the air and handled. 
The supposition would not be an unlikely one, that 
these bones were the remains of bodies which had fallen 
in battle, and were afterward hurriedly thrown together 
and buried. 

A large mound in Wyoming, though not so extensive i 
in size, nor so regular in form, as the one we have just 
spoken of, was observed by the early settlers of that 
country ; and was always understood to be the tumulus : 
raised over the bodies of the Delawares, who had fallen in 
the celebrated battle in the grasshopper war. The In- 
dians held the spot so sacred, that the whites never' 
presumed to disturb it. Capt. Leonard, while he was 
in Wyoming, with a few others, ventured to dig a little 
into the mound, and found it apparently full of sculls- 
and other human bones. Tom Turkey, an aged Indian, 
told Capt. Leonard that he remembered the battle, .ancl 
was knowing to the interment. 

In the mound near Greene, there were found, lying, 
quite in one pile, 200 arrow heads, cut after thein 
usual form, and all either of yellow or black flint. It' 
will be recollected that there are no stone ol this kind, 
found in this part of the state of New York. In an- 
other part of the mound there were found, lying togeth- 
er, about sixty, made after the same form. A silver 
band or ring was also found, of about two inches in 
diameter, extremely thin, but wide, with the remains — ■ 
in appearance — of a reed pipe, lying within it. The 
supposition is, that it was some sort of musical instru- 
ment. There was also found a number of stone chis- 
sels, of different shapes, evidently fitted to perform diff 
ferent species of work. A large piece of mica also, cut 
into the form of a heart ; the border much decayed, and 
the different laminae separated. 

These curious relics of antiquity are in the possession 
of Dr^Wniard, of Greene, who was the principal person 
in openinginto and searching the mound. His cabine 1 
of minerals and curiosities show his prevailing taste fo] 
antiquities, and the sciences allied to them. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

At the time the primitive settlers came, there were 
no Indians, or vestiges of their's, remaining upon the 
site of the present village of Binghamton. There was, 
indeed, an old log house, or — as the white people suppos- 
ed it might have been — a wigwam, standing at the point, 
near the banks of the two rivers, where they mingle 
their waters. It was used, as the same early settlers 
say, for a lodging place or shelter by the Indians, 
when they were occasionally down upon their fishing 
excursion. 

There was also built upon the site, a log house some- 
where between Colonel Page's and William Wentz's, by 
Solomon Moore ; but ascertaining soon afterward that 
he could not purchase the land, Mr. Moore left, and the 
house soon dilapidated and disappeared. 

A man by the name of Thomas Chambers lived in a 
small log house, standing near the well that stands at 
the corner, but on the outside, of Colonel Lewis' garden. 
This was built also before the village was laid out. 

The ground of the village did not, in its original and 
wild state, possess that smoothness of surface which it 
now presents; having been, in many places, as the vil- 
lage has been built up, materially levelled. Still, taken 
together, it might be called a plain. It was covered with 
white and red, or pitch, pine. Swails, as they were 
called, of swamp white oak were growing here and there 
upon the lower places. The white pine was but sparse- 
ly scattered over the plain, and the interval of ground 
was covered with the pitch pine and shrub oak. 

In consequence of the annual burning over of the 
ground, which was practiced by the Indians, and af- 
terwards kept up for a number of years by the whites, 



140 Annals of Binghamton. 

there was little or no underbrush. And even the low- 
er limbs of the oaks and pines were, by the same means, 
kept trimmed, or prevented from growing ; so that a 
rabbit could be seen at a distance of more than a mus- 
ket shot. The smoothness of the surface, however, was 
frequently interrupted by huge trunks of prostrate trees, 
that were too nearly the nature of the ground itself to be 
materially effected by the transient and annual fires, and 
were slowly returning to their original dusc. After the 
burnings, there would grow up every season a kind of 
spindling grass, which exhibited, very faintly, the hue 
of verdure. Wild roses, and the flower of the mandrake, 
were here and there seen contributing their mite to- 
wards cheering the solitude of the forest; but notwith- 
standing all these, the plains here exhibited but a bar- 
ren appearance ; and the stone and gravel which lay 
whitening upon the surface, were by far the most con- 
spicuous. In process of time, however, and without any 
reference to a future village, there were about twenty- 
five acres cleared near the junction of the two rivers ; 
about eight acres below the "junction on the northern 
bank of the Susquehanna ; about ten acres on the west- 
ern bank of the Chenango river, nearly opposite the 
Chenango bridge; and eight acres on the east side, 
where the eastern end of that bridge abuts. 

Prior to the year 1799, no village was thought of 
where Binghamton now stands. A village, which was 
supplanted by the present one, was commenced and had 
made some progress, about one mile above Binghamton, 
on the west side of the Chenango river, just above the 
promontory point of what is called "Prospect Hill." 
It had commenced building up some five or six years 
previous to the date we have just mentioned ; and at 
the time it was determined to change the location, there 
were a number of buildings ; and a considerable in teres u 
concentrated there. A tavern was kept by Lewis Keel- 
er. Mr. Keeler came from Norvvalk, Conn. Isaac 
Sayres, a Colonel, was great-uncle to Mr. Keeler. He 
was a sea captain in the time of French war ; was one, 



Annals of Binghamton. 141 

settled there by the name oi Porte, Webs^/anS 
K e o rS "and a Krf^ hel1 Md -ducted adMlfe 

mS'TaTrh /^ St ° re ' and -ntlnuetomethS 
more than a year before moving down to this vilW * 

here for some time. B ^ hdwBe » also *«** himself 

Th?, i fti'nf pient / iI1 ! ge , was ca!led Chenango village 
I he site chosen for its location, undoubtedly rewlhS 

&?« SltUatl0U ° f the r0ads at the timeTan^the oca 

t ion of the main ferry. The road from the Great Bend 

on the village side of the river, came down nearly where 

does now, as far as what is called the Dry BnW i? 

' o nfof i ned t0 "f- ri ? h l and led Meetly CarSs 'the 
Joint of the mountain before alluded to. Here afrrrv 

Ztft ***** , Cr ° SSiug the river > jt inclined aown S 

entS, t, ' SqUel,an, A aa S i,iu; and came into the pre- 
ent Susquehanna or Owegp road, some three or W 
miles below the present village of Binghamton There 
m . . branch of this road that crossed f he Chenango It 
,/hat was called Lyon's Ferry, kept where Co Lewis' 

H f s n o°me a dH a , The fao * tha * the **J setdemlsTre 
b»d'<,m ?• C<? n P then ver, was the reason of the 

jpad g making so great a curve, and running where it did 



1 \l Annals of ) } >iii<j)i<tnilon. 

The northern line of Hi*' Bingham patent ran nearly 
through the centre of this upper village; and when 
Gen. Whitney, became, in the year L800, the agent for 
Mr. Bingham, for two very important reasons, ne con- 
ceived the design of moving the village down upon the 
present site; one was, the present location has vastly 
the advantage over the former from being immediate- 
ly between and upon the two rivers; from its being 
directly upon Mm* line of the great westernroad that was 
now opened, and from iis containing a, more extended 

area, upon which a, village of a far greater size 

might be built. The oilier reason was, that the patent, 
of which he had the agency, did not embrace the old 
ground. He therefore look the necessary measures to 
divert the attention of settlers and the public to this 
place, as destined to be the rising village. He placed 
i lie superior advantages of the newly chosen sile before 
the public; In' bought a number of buildings of the old 
village, and had them brought down here. [Jnder the 
direction of Mr. Bingham, he had the ground early laid 
out into streets and lots. The size of the lots, as they 

were first laid out, were I liree-<]narlers of an acre; and the 

general price for which they sold was twenty dollars. 

Comer lots were held at a higher price. 

Tims the way was paved ; and (he sile ol I lie village 
of Billgham to 11 was surveyed and laid on! inlo a, village. 
form in I he year L800. 

Two streets onlv were opened at first — Court and 
Water-streets; and the firsl building put up within the 

plot, was a dwelling house on Waler-slreet, beyond the 
present buildings on that Street, on (he declivity of 
a hill, a little son 1 li east of William Weill //s present 
dwelling; Vestiges of the cellar are still to he seen. II 

was built by John (i. Christopher, in the autumn of the 

same year in which I he village was laid out, and occupi- 
ed by him for a short time.* In L801, Judge McKinney 
built a, store-house on Water-street, twenty-eight feet 
square, [ts location was near the present spot where 

* Site of the tf»s factory; 






Annuls of HiiiyhanUoii,. 148 

Horatio Evans' present dwelling house Is.* Ben. Whit- 
ney formed a partnership with Judge McKinney after 
the completion of the house, and together they filled 
thijs large store building with goods. The expense of 
transportation at this time was twenty shillings or i.hree 
dollars per hundred from the Hudson. Judge kcKin- 
ney also built, opposite his store, a house for the storage 
of grain. This was the second building commenced, 
The third, and in the same season; was a building erect- 
ed by Lewis Keeler, on the the corner of Court and 
Water-streets, fronting the lafler, for a tavern, [tis 
wiill in existence, and forms the southern part of Mr. 
Jarvis' Hotel. f 

[n the same year, 1801, or early in the next, (J<n. 
Whitney cleared <>n Court-street, and opposite fcheter- 
mination of Water-street, and erected the building he 
occupied for a dwelling for .some number of years, which 
is also standing yet ; and is the building, though moved 
from its first foundation, now occupied for different of- 
fices, Cooke and Davis' printing office being one.l 

In this same year, or, it may have been earlier, Balth- 
hazar DeHart, called Judge DeHart, came into the 
place. He was from the city of New York, had been 
bred to the law, and had been, in some manner, connect- 
ed in its practice with Alexander Hamilton* He had, 
by some means, become poor, if he had been ever other- 
wise; and probably retired here, not so much to mend 
his fori, line, as to escape from the mortification he might 
have anticipated, in remaining among his former associ- 
ates. He was originally from $ew .Jersey, where he <>h- 
fcained the title of Judge. His talents, though respect- 
able, were not of a high order, as might be supposed 
from his having been associated with so great a man as 
Hamilton. He had a brother here also by the name 
of James, legally hied, but who seldom plead at the bar* 

John xarrington, « - >, blacksmith, came, if- is thought, 

x Where Alexander Stuart's residence now in. 

f Site, of the present American Hotel, 

| At that time Water street run no farther north than Court St. 



144 Annals of Binghamton. 

as early as 1801, and purchased the corner lot where 
Ely's store is, and built a blacksmith's shop on the west- 
ern extremity of the lot, about where Pratt and Samp- 
son's hardware store now is. Immediately on the cor- 
ner he built a dwelling house.* 

In 1801, Gen. Whitney purchased a frame that stood 
near Mr. St. John's present dwelling, and set it up in 
Water-street, and enclosed it. In this he lived until he 
finished his house on Court-street. It is the large part 
of the present dwelling of Esq. Park.f Before the house 
was completed, Gen. Whitney sold it to Esq. Mason 
Whiting, with a lot of fifty feet front running back to 
the river, for one hundred and fifty dollars. Esq. Whit- 
ing finished the house ; and out of the frame that pre- 
viously stood beyond the Susquehanna, put a kitchen to 
it and occupied his dwelling. He had come into the 
place the year before, but in this year he brought his 
wife. 

Mr. Keeler built the barn for his tavern-stand on the 
opposite and eastern corner of the same block where Mr. 
L. M. Kexford's present druggist store is.| This was soon 
moved, and Gen. Whitney sold to a Mr. John Townley, 
who had moved in from New Jersey, fifty feet in front, 
upon which the latter built his present dwelling house. 
It is the frame and building of Mr. Kexford's present 
store. Mr. Townley, who was the father of Augustus 
Townley, of this village, was from Elizabethtown, N". J., 
of a large, respectable, and wealthy family there. He 
was a carpenter and house joiner by trade, and being 
active and skillful in his vocation, rendered himself an 
important member of the rising village. 

In this year also Mr. Daniel LeKoy, an eminent law- 
yer, came into the place, and having purchased the cor- 
ner lot north of the Eagle Buildings, built a two story 
dwelling house nearly on the spot where Bragg and 
Brown's store now is.§ 

* North-west corner of Court and Washington streets. 
f Still his residence, No. 65 Water street. 
\ South-west corner of Court and Washington streets. 
§ North-east corner of Court and Washington streets. 



Annals of Binghmnton, 145 

In the same year Guido Bissel purchased a lot upon 
which there was already standing a plank house, for his 
own dwelling. It stood upon the spot of ground where 
Mr. Zenas Pratt's present dwelling is.* 

On Court-street, and nearly opposite the present 
Court House, on the north west corner of Court and 
Chenango-streets, stood the first built Court house. It 
was built in this year, 1802, and in size about thirty-six 
by twenty-four ; finished in a plain and hasty style, hav- 
ing two log jail rooms, and a room for the residence of 
the jailor below, and the court room above. It was af- 
terward moved across the road, and stood a little down 
from the top of court hill, south of west from the pre- 
sent edifice. 

In the year 1802 or '3 a Mr. Pratt bought a small build- 
ing, rudely put together, and but partly finished, of Gen. 
Whitney, and moved it upon a lot he had purchased on 
Court-street, and fitted it up for a pottery. It stood 
where Merrill and Eoot's present hat store is. It was 
afterward converted into a dwelling. 

In the year 1802, John E. Wiklman purchased and 
built on Court-street, a little east of the Exchange Build- 
ings. This building has been removed within a few 
years. Mr. Wildman was a tailor, and followed the busi- 
ness for some number of years. 

In 1803, Judge Stuart came into the place. He first 
rented and lived in Gen. Whitney's dwelling house that 
he first built at the foot of Court-street. In a short 
time he removed to the John Townley house. After 
this, in 1805, he purchased the house built by John G. 
Christopher, on Water-street. Here he resided a number 
of years. To this dwelling he gave the name of "the 
cottage house. 7 ' 

The present opportunity may be embraced to give an 
outline of the history of this distinguished and early in- 
habitant of the village. 

Judge William Stuart was a native of Maryland. At 

* The Pratt homestead . now No. 58 Water street. 



146 Amials of Binghamton. 

the time hostilities commenced with the mother country, 
he was sixteen years old, and in the course of his academ- 
ical studies. Being of an ardent temperament, and 
burning with a desire to throw his fortune in with the 
chivalrous young men of his State, who were rallying to 
the American standard, he ran away from his academy, 
and without the knowledge of his parents joined the 
colonial army ; and although so young when he com- 
mitted himself to the army, he served throughout the 
war, and was in the most important battles. He had one 
near relative, a brother, in the army who was killed. 
After the war he went to Europe, and remained some 
years in the United Kingdom and in France. After 
returning, he studied law in the city of New York. 
He commenced his practice of law in Geneva, where he 
continued until his marriage with the second daughter 
of Gen. James Clinton. Soon after this event he moved 
to this place.* 

In 1802, one Giles Andrus came into the village; was 
a carpenter ; boarded for a time with Esquire Whiting, 
and built his office, which is yet standing. He married 
here, but afterward went West, where he died in 1839. 

The same year, 1802, Christopher Woods — the father 
of Caleb Woods — Samuel Roberts, and Joseph Lewis, 
who had sometime previously settled on what is now 
the Montrose road, about four miles from the village, 
cleared a road from their settlement out to the village. 
This was the first opening of any part of that road. The 
land where they were located belonged to Judge Cooper's 
patent. 

In 1803, John S. Townley bought the Mason Whiting 
house and lot, which the latter purchased of Gen. Whit- 
ney ; and Mr. Whiting, in 1805, purchased and built 
upon the other side of the street, and farther south up- 
on the spot where, and the same building in which, he 
uoav lives. 

* Judge Stuart was the father of William Stuart, Esq., former- 
ly editor and proprietor of the Binghamton Republican. Alex- 
ander Stuart is also a son of Judere Stuart, 



Annals of Binyhamton. 147 

Mason Whiting, Esq.. received his classical education 
under Dr. D wight, at his academy at Greenfield, Conn., 
previously to his election to the presidency of Yale Col- 
lege. Dr. Dwight, it is well known, was distinguished 
for his great literary attainments, and his talents as an 
instructor. He studied law with B. Bidwell, Esq. It 
is proper here to mention also his ancestry, who are trac- 
ed back to an early period in the history of our country. 
A paternal grand- father of iiis was present, in the capa- 
city of a captain, in the taking of Louisburgh from the 
French in 1045, by the American and English forces, 
commanded by Sir William Pepperel, and fleet by Sir 
Peter Warren. Many of his ancestors, on the paternal 
side, were clegyman,came from Boston, in England, in 
about 1677, and settled in the eastern part of Massachu- 
setts. His family name on the maternal side is Mason. 
The original ancestor in this county was John Mason; 
who, associated with Ferdinand Gorges and some others, 
obtained from the Plymouth company, in 1721, grants 
of land lying north of Massachusetts and west of Pis- 
cataqua river, embracing the present state of New Hamp- 
shire. 

Esq. Whiting's wife is the grand-daughter of the Rev. 
Jonathan Edwards, president, at the time of his death, 
of Princeton College. President Edwards, it is well 
known, was distinguished for his eminent piety, his 
benevolence, and his practical, theological and metaphy- 
sical writings.* 

In about 1803 or '4, William Low, a lawyer, came and 
settled in the village. Mr. Low remained but a short 
time a resident of the village, removing soon to Homer. 
Sherman Page, also a lawyer, came in about the same 
time, a young man, who also left after a year or two. 
He now resides in L T nadilla, and is an elder brother to 
Gen. Julius Page, of the village. 

Xot far from this time David Brownson came into the 
place, but settled a little out of the village, near and op- 

- Mrs. Whiting is still (1872) living- at the old homestead on 
Water street. 



148 Annals of Binghamton. 

posite the Two Mile House, a tavern, kept by Mr. Wool- 
verton, on the Owego road, and west of the village. 

In the year 1803, Thomas Whitney purchased a lot on 
Water-street, and commenced building the house, still 
standing, and the same in which Mr. J. Campbell, the 
blacksmith, now lives. This lot, and house partially 
finished, Mr. Whitney sold to Henry Pinckerton, a tailor. 
Mr. Pinckerton finished the house and rented it to 
Benjamin Sawtell ; and as he had no family of his own, 
he boarded with him. In Mr. Sawtell's family he died 
the next year. 

In 1804, Esq. Whiting put up a building for his law 
office. It is the same he now occupies.* 

In the year 1804, Henry T. Shipman built the south 
end of Mr. Z. Pratt's cabinet shop.f Mr. Shipman came 
from Saybrook, Conn.,and settled in the village in 1803.J 
He was by trade a chair maker and painter. In the lat- 
ter art he especially excelled. Upon coming into ihe 
village he first rented the house just built by John Yar- 
rmgton, and which stood upon Col. Ely's corner. 

In 1803, William Woodruff, Esq., came and settled in 
the village. Upon coming here, he was appointed mag- 
istate, which office he held for many years. He was the 
first Sheriff in the newly organized" county of Broome; 
Clerk of the county, during two terms of that office ; 
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors from 1806 to 1821. 
Since that time Esq. Whiting held the office until 1836. 
He w r as a man of considerable learning, although self- 
taught ; and his native talent was still more noticable.§ 

In 1803 or '4, Gen. Whitney purchased the two story 
building which LeRoy had erected on Court-street, 
where Brown's store now is ; and adding on eighteen 
feet, he appropriated the eastern end to a store, in w T hich 

* Site of 63 Water street, 
f Where Blackmer's brewery now stands. 
X He was the father of Henry W. Shipman, of this city. 
§ Mr. Woodruff died at Hyde Settlement about thirty years ago, 
leaving five children, none of whom reside in the county. 



Annals of Bingliamton. 149 

Esq. Woodruff was now a partner, and leased the larger 
part to his brother Thomas Whitney. Mr. AV. immedia- 
tely opened a tavern in it. This building, in about 1805 
or ? 6, was consumed by fire, at mid-day. It was re-built, 
however, the same season ; and to expedite the building, 
a frame was brought from where Esq. Whiting's present 
dwelling is. After the second building was erected, Esq. 
Woodruff was the landlord in it, and the store was dis- 
continued. The building was afterward moved to the 
corner of Henry and Washington-streets, and is now 
owned and occupied by Lorenzo B. Olmstead.* 

Selah Squires, who had been a prentice boy in the 
hatting business to Lewis Keeler, while the latter car- 
ried it on at the old village, in 1803, being now out of 
his apprenticeship, he purchased the corner lot where 
now the Eagle Buildings! stand, and built a sort of 
edifice which answered first for a hatter's shop, and in it 
he commenced the hatting business; it answered also 
for a dwelling house, to which use it was afterward ap- 
plied, after undergoing several additions and alterations. 
It was taken down, when the first Eagle Buildings were 
put up. 

About this time, or earlier, Dr. Bartholomew came into 
the village. He was without a family here ; was a gadu- 
ate of Yale College ; a man of great medical knowledge 
and skill ; rough in his manners, but kind in his feel- 
ings, and especially so towards his patients. Previously 
to his coming into this village he had been in the mer- 
cantile business at the old village in company with one 
John Bartlett. After this connection dissolved, Dr. B. 
returned to his family in Ooxsackie, whence he came, 
and Bartlett entered the lumbering business, getting 
masts and spars, until he failed in business. 

In 1804, Lewis Squires, brother to Selah and James 
Squires, came into the place. He was a house carpenter, 

* The same building still stands at the north-east corner of 
Washington and Henry streets. 

f Southeast corner of Court and Washington-sts. 



150 Annals of Bingliamton. 

an active, efficient man, and one of the principal archi- 
tects in the buildings that were erected after he came. 
The first purchase he made was the lot on Court-street, 
where the Exch nge Buildings stand. Here he built a 
dwelling-house. He soon afterward bought on the op- 
posite side of the street a lot and built a dwelling house. 
Thi he occupied himself for sometime. It was stand- 
ing when the canal was in process, and was divided, and 
one half of it removed to make way for the passage 
of that channel. The other half was taken down the 
present season, 1839, and has given place to the large 
three-story brick building, designed for stores and offices, 
built the present year by John A. Collier, who owns 
almost the entire block or square, of which this build- 
ing and its site are a part, and embraced between Court 
and Hawley-streets, north and south, and between the 
canal and Collier-street, east and west. He has given to 
the block the name of "LeRoy Place," in honor of 
Daniel LeKoy.* 

In the year 1802, Crosby and Blan chard, who should 
have been mentioned before, came into the village from 
Philadelphia, and purchased the store-house formerly 
occupied by McKinney and Whitney, and filled it the 
second time with goods. These they sold out, without 
replenishing the store again, and dissolved their con- 
nection. Blanchard went to Owego, and after a tempo- 
rary stay in that place returned to Philadelphia. Crosby 
entered into partnership for a while with Gen. Whitney 
in a store, and then appeared to retire from business. 
During this suspension from other business, he built a 
large addition to the storehouse, and raising it two 
stories, made a large and elegant dwelling house of it. 
To this he added a kitchen, witli garden and clooryard 
fences. The whole finished in a style superior to any- 
thing before exhibited in the village. He died soon af» 
ter their completion. Previous to his coming here, he 
had been clerk to Mr. Bingham. 

* LeRoy Place is still (1872) standing, and is known as Nos. 63 
and 04 Court street. 



Annals of Bingliamton. 151 

In the fall of 1805, James Squires came into the vil- 
lage from Connecticut, And as his brother Selah was 
disposed to sell, in order to go farther to the west, James 
bought of him his corner lot and house. In 1806, Mr. 
Squires purchased a lot upon the corner of Washington 
and Hawley-streets, and built a tannery.* This was the 
first building on Washington-street; which however, 
was not opened for some years afterward. Mr. Squires 
went from his dwelling to his work by a mere path, 
through the oak and pine bushes. 

As early as 1802, Judge William Seymour became a 
resident in the village, and commenced the study of the 
law, under Mr. LeRoy. He had just finished his pre- 
paratory studies when the county of Broome was organ- 
ized; and he received his license from the first court 
held under the new county. He remained in the village, 
subsequent to his license, only about one year, after 
which he removed to Windsor ; where, as a lawyer, he 
had the undivided business of the place. From 1812 to 
1828, he held the office of Justice of the Peace. In 1833, 
he returned to Binghamton, upon receiving the appoint- 
ment of first Judge of the county. In November, 1834, 
he was elected member of Congress. 

In the autumn of 1805, Dr. Elihu Ely settled in the 
village. His place of nativity was Lyme, in Conn. He 
studied medicine under Dr. Hall, of Middletown, of the 
same State. Attended a full course of medical lectures 
in the city of New York; an advantage which medical 
students did not commonly avail themselves of in that 
day. He commenced the practice of medicine immedi- 
ateley on the coming into the place. After about one year 
he opened a small druggist store in a part of a building 
that stood on Court-street, between the present Exchange 
Buildings and Hayden's saddler's shop. The next year, 
1807, he purchased a lot on the same street, but farther 
east, upon the declivity of the hill, and built a store- 

* Nortli-east corner of Washington and Hawley streets. Hip 
tannery and grounds occupied nearly the south lialf of the land 
embraced between Court, Collier, Washington and Hawley streets 



152 Annals of Binghamton. 

house — the same that was taken down the present sea- 
son. In this he opened a store, of a general nature, and 
of considerable magnitude, for that early day. In 1810, 
he purchased a lot immediately opposite the Court House, 
and north of the lot which belonged to James Park, 
who was on the corner. For this lot, which was one 
acre and a half in size, he gave $300. In November of 
the same year he bought the lot, of one acre, upon which 
the Bank stands.* In 1811, he purchased the building and 
lot in which he first opened his druggist store. The build- 
ing was a dwelling, in which Mr. Wildman formerly lived; 
and of whom the Dr. purchased. The lot contained two 
acres, and the whole was bought for 11100. In this dwell- 
ing he lived for a number of years. In 1813, he bought 
the lot upon which his present dwelling is, and which 
embraces the brick store of Bragg and Brown. In latter 
years his purchases of village property have been numer- 
ous. Dr. Ely laid aside his practice in medicine in 183& 
He was active in forming the first medical society in the 
county, of whioh he was the treasurer.! 

In 1806, James and John Park, twin brothers of Esq* 
George and Rufus, purchased the corner lot on Chenan- 
go and Court-streets, opposite and west of the bank; 
built a storehouse and opened a store. The building 
was lately taken down. J 

In the same year Lewis Squires purchased where the 
Exchange Buildings now stand, and built a dwelling 
house, of two stories, in which he lived for a short time. 
This bui ding was torn down when the Exchange buildings 
went up. After building, the folloAving year, he exchang- 
ed with Mr. LeRoy the said house and lot for other prop- 
erty, and moved his family over into Water-street, in a 
small house standing near Mr. John Doubleday's pre- 

* Old Broome County Bank, being north-east corner of Court and 
Chenango streets. 

\ Dr. Ely died in the year 1851. Richard Ely of this city is a 
son of Dr. Ely. 

:J: Northwest corner of Court and Chenango sts 4 



Annals of Binyluimton. 153 

sent dwelling. In this year, 1806, the county of Broome 
was organized. 

In this year, also, Rev. John Camp moved within the pre- 
cincts of the village, into the house owned by the widow 
Crosby, and which had been lately vacated by the death of 
her husband. Mr. Camp had lived in the immediate 
neighborhood of the village since the year 1802, in a 
log house which stood near the north bank of the Susque- 
hanna, about midway between Gen. Waterman's Mills 
and Mr. Quaife's Brewery above. The house was com- 
paratively old when Mr. Camp occupied it; having 
been built as early as 1788, by Nathaniel Delano. Mr. 
Delano was a blacksmith ; had a bellows and anvil, and 
did a little at blacksmithing, but very limited, as there was 
as yet no iron to be obtained. He left, after a few years. 

The Rev. Mr. Camp was originally from Plymouth, 
Conn. He had been designed by his parents, more par- 
ticularly his father, in the education he received, for the 
Episcopal ministry. He, however, entered the Presby- 
terian ministry. He received the title of Master of Arts 
from Yale College, his Alma Mater, in 1780, about which 
time he was married. Some time after this he settled 
over the Presbyterian congregation at New Canaan, 
where he remained the pastor for nearly twenty years. 
He was deprived of his ministerial functions when he 
came here, although he sometimes preached when invit- 
ed. He lived here in very considerable obscurity, and 
reduced to the necessity of laboring in some petty busi- 
ness ; and that, too, without understanding it. 

He was esteemed in his day, as a popular and able 
minister, whose preaching was always acceptable to 
every class of hearers. The contrast between his former 
and latter life must have been mortifying to himself, as 
well as painful to his friends. He remarked one day 
while here, as he sat upon his shaving horse at work, 
" the time was," said he, " when every person who met 
me bowed to me; but now none bow to me but my old 
horse." 

In 1807 Mr. Zenas Pratt came into the village from 



154 Annals of Binghamton. 

Savbrook ; went into the cabinet business, and a part of 
the time worked as a house carpenter. The shop he first 
worked in was the south part of his present shop, oppo- 
site his dwelling. Soon after coming into the place he 
purchased the lot where he now lives, of Henry T. Ship- 
man, with a plank house upon it. This had served as a 
dwelling for Mr. Shipman, since 1804, at which time the 
latter purchased the premises. In 1816 Mr. Pratt re- 
moved the plank house, and built the rear or kitchen 
part of his present dwelling. In 1831 he built the front 
part of his house.* 

In 1807 Mr. Whitney built a store east of his dwelling 
house. 

In the same year Mr. Benjamin Sawtell built a two 
story house on Water street, which is yet standing ; and 
is next south of Mr. Pratt's cabinet shop. In this house 
he dwelt for several years. f 

Mr. Benjamin Sawtell is the son of Capt. Sawtell, who 
was among the very first settlers of the country, and 
who settled upon the very farm which had been occu- 
pied by the celebrated Patterson, who, by fraud, con- 
trived to obtain a title to the Castle farm. He moved 
here from Vermont, Was at the battle of Bunker Hill, 
and Captain of the militia towards the close of the war. 
Mr. Sawtell, the son, was about thirteen years of age 
when his father moved into the parts. He remembers 
distinctly the leading events in the history of the settle- 
ment and of the village down to the present time. He 
has been a very active and skillful mechanic, as carpen- 
ter and house joiner, and has been employed in most of 
the edifices, from the first building of the village down 
to the last important building that has been reared. 

In the same year, 1807, Judge Monell, then a young 
man, and lately admitted to the bar, came into the place. 
The next year he built him an office, which stood on 

* Mr. Pratt was the f atlier of George, Hal lam E., and Win. H. 
Pratt, of this city. 

f This house is still standing and is No. 55 Water-st. 



Annals of Binylta niton, 155 

"Water street, on the west side, somewhere between John 
D. Smith's yellow and white buildings. He continued 
the practice of law here until 1811, when he moved to 
Greene. He is now Circuit Judge. 

It was in the year previous, that is, 1806, that Chris- 
topher Eldredge came into the village and first went into 
partnership with Mr. LeRoy, in the mercantile business. 

In this year, 1807, Judge McKinney took charge, as 
landlord, of the Keeler tavern-house. Benjamin Morse 
was living, at this time, on the corner where Col. Ely's 
store is ; a saddler. On the opposite corner, where Rex- 
ford's drug store is, lived Andrew Far ling, and kept a 
tavern ; only, however, a short time. He left suddenly, 
having taken alarm at an effigy he found at his own 
door, early in the morning, mounted upon a wooden 
horse, with a note attached to it, that thus he should be 
served, if he ever afterward was lound guilty of whipping 
his wife. 

In 1808 Daniel Rogers, a lawyer, came into the vil- 
lage, and entered very soon into partnership with Dan- 
iel LeRoy.* 

In this year the Chenango bridge was built, at the 
sole charge and direction of Lucas Elmendorf, of Kings- 
ton, Ulster county. A more particular account of this 
bridge will be given in another place. This was an im- 
portant step in the progress of the rising village. The 
river was no longer an obstacle to villagers or foreigners 
in passing upon the highway. 

In the year 1809 Mi. LeRoy purchased on the west 
side of the Chenango, and built for himself a dwelling 
house ; the same that is yet standing, and occupied now 
by James S. Hawleyf Several buildings this year w r ent 
up on the west side of the river, an easy transition being 
now formed from one bank to the other. 

David Brownson built the Peterson tavern-house, and 

*Mr. Rogers afterwards went to New York City, and published 
the City Hall Recorder. 

f This house was on the east side of Front-st., near the south 
end, and was afterwards called the " Hobart Eldredge Property." 



150 Annate of Binyhamlon. 

opened a tavern.* He had formerly kept the ferry where 
the bridge now stands. 

The same year Arnold Burrell, a wagon-maker, and 
the father of Arora Burrell, built upon the south west 
corner, and opposite Mr. Brownson. The house is a 
part of the present dwelling of Mr. Myron Merrill.f 

Another building, on the north east of these corners, 
was put up this year by James McKinney, nephew to 
Judge McKinney. It was built for a store and occupied 
as such. A Mr. Powell afterward enlarged the building 
materially, and kept in it a very large store, but only a 
comparatively short time — a year or two. 

In this year, 1809, Mr. John A. Collier, settled in 
the village was then a young man, and lately from 
his legal studies. Mr. Collier studied law in the cel- 
ebrated law school at Litchfield, where he went 
through an entire course of the studies of the institu- 
tion. After leaving this school, he wrote for some 
time in the office of a distinguished lawyer in the city 
of Troy. He was lic3nsed in 1809. The next year after 
his location in the village, he entered into partnership 
with Mr. LeRoy. In 1812 he purchased of Lewis Squires 
a house and lot on the south side of Court street. The 
house was divided and a part of it removed to make way 
for the passage of the canal. This was the first pur- 
chase he made of real estate. In 1815, he purchased a 
lot and built the house in which Mr. Charles B. Pixley 
lives. Mr. Collier, from the time of his coming into the 
place, has had a large share of the practice, through the 
medium of which, with other conspiring circumstances, 

* This hotel was called the Peterson House from the fact that 
Samuel Peterson, who is still, (1872,) a resident of this city, was 
for years its landlord. It was afterwards called the Chenango 
House, and was destroyed by fire some twelve years since. It 
stood at the north-west corner of Front and Main streets, the site 
of the present Congregational Church building. Mr. Peterson 
was a soldier in the war of 1812. 

f South-west corner of Main and Front streets, and still the res- 
idence of Mr. Merrill. 



Annals of Hinghamton. 157 

he has acquired great wealth, as well as a large share of 
celebrity. In 1818 he was appointed District Attorney 

for the county of Broome. The first that had been ap- 
pointed exclusively for this county. Previously to this 
date, the districts to which the State attorneys were in- 
dividually appointed, were very large; embracing seve- 
ral counties. That over which Stuart presided as attor- 

?8^ e ^ eil T ded -? fc , 0ne time toSiagara. In this year, 
1818, the Legislature provided that one should be ap- 
pointed tor each county. J 

t J Vhat A Tf® . forn ? eri y Watts' Patent, was purshased by 
John A. Collier, in 1835, and lies about midway be- 
jTnn n n Bm g han l ton a nd Colesville, containing about 
14,000 acres, and purchased for 810,000. I n 18?3 Mr 
Collier, in company with eight others, purchased of Bar' 
zillai (rray, one of the heirs of Arthur Gray, fifty acres 
on a portion of which that fell to his own lot, his pres- 
ent mansion house is located. 

In the year 1827 Mr. Collier built the house* next 
south of his office, on Franklin street, where his brother 
Hamilton now lives, for his father, Thomas Collier, who 
is still living, and both aged and venerable : a happv 
representative, too, of the age that has just gone by 
i»2r J J. on ] as 1 Col ^r was born in Boston, in the year 
l\ I * rll Mhe , r > Ptlchard Colli er, is said to have been 
the first, the earliest, brazier in that city. Mr T Col- 
lier was present when the tea was thrown overboard in 
that harbor. He witnessed most of those exciting events 
in that city which hastened hostilities. He is familiar 
with the leading events of the war that succeeded, and 
was personally acquainted with many of its distinguish- 
ed officers. < He served an apprenticeship in the printing 
ilbusmess with his uncle, Thomas Draper, who printed 
rone of the earliest papers in Boston. Mr. Draper dying 
a few years previous to the war, his widow conducted 
the establishment in her own name, until the commence- 
ment of the war ; when, being a royalist in her senti- 

• Site (about) of No. 51 Washington street. 



158 Annals of Binghamton. 

ments, she went to England and took with her her niece, , 
the sister of T. Collier, then a little girl. This niece re- 
sided with her aunt in London until she was grown, and 
then married a Mr, Hamilton—after whom Hamilton 
Collier is called— who was for some time Clerk to the > 
House of Lords. 

Mr. John A. Collier, in 1828, built his law office. In 
1829, in view of building a new Clerk's office, where it t 
would be less exposed to lire, Ammi Doubleday and Sam- 
uel Smith were authorized to sell the old office, which i 
stood on the south side of Court street, and a little easti 
of the present Eagle buildings, in a neighborhood that! 
was then fast building up.* Mr. Collier purchased this- 
office and the lot upon which it stood, and purchasings 
the other half of the same lot, which had been previous- 
ly sold to John C. Swain, upon which Mr. Swain had 1 
put up a building corresponding to the office-house, 
which was then then three stories in height. The two 
united, constituted the building that was burnt, dowd 
the last season in the great fire. In 1830, Mr. Collier 
was elected member of Congress. In 1837-8, he built 
the elegant mansion house now occupied by him, and* 
called " Ingleside." 

As this mansion house is entitled to more reputation 
for elegant proportions, beauty, and even grandeur, than 
probably any other private dwelling in this section oil 
country, it may be proper to speak of it with some par- 
ticularity. It is situated on the north side of the village.' 
The main body of the building is 42 by 44 feet, exclu- 
sive of the wing, with a basement story. A double front! 
one looking towards the Chenango river, the other upodhf 
the gardens and pleasure grounds, with elegant colo-> | 
nades upon each front. The porticos are of the Ionic 
order, and the style and proportions are upon the most 
perfect principles of architecture ; the proportions being: 
modelled after the Illysis Temple. Five fluted columns, 
twenty-three feet in length, and two feet eight inches m 

* Site (about) of No. 54 Court-st, 



Annals of Binghamtm, 159 

&&?%}"? "?* ^^ ca P^ls, support each 
™'rr drawing rooms are entered by folding 

to Br%r ai TT 8 ° 9j al f ^ me ° 0L 01iYer E1 ^ * brother 
toJJi._Lly. He spent the summer and winter here • 

ESSES < r' ° f ^ ^ in the Clei>k ' s office fo Ms 
the ie»t of his time during his stay. He returned home 
m the spring, and in the fall of 1810 he came back and 
vent immediately into mercantile business, in partner- 
ship with his brother. This mercantile connect on re- 
mained until 1819 when, having purchased the corner 

™ Tl W 11C1 { h \* P resent stoi ' e sta ^s, at a price of 
1700 he dissolved with his brother and commenced busi- 

oon rt'L lh i e f n i n Ved *™m honse which stood 
1 on the lot and which was built, it will be remembered, 
ylamngton he moved north to the site of his present 
Iwe hug, and built a store upon its foundation. The 
•ed house he occupied as a dwelling, until he built his 
>nck house, m 1831. This building, while on the cor! 
iei, was occupied for a while by John A. Collier It 
iow stands on Hawley street, south of the Court House 
pt. Ihe buildings connected with his store, and ex- 
3ndmg down Court street he built some time after his 
tore, and separately; but in 1825, he made such altera- 
:011s 111 them as enabled him to put one entire roof over 
ie whole In 1831, he built his present dwelling, which 
i of brick and stands on Washington street? at the 
1 them extremity of his original corner lot. It is for- 
I by titty feet and of a proportionate height ; built at 
a expense of between four and five thousand dollars • 
"d may be justly esteemed, besides its intrinsic utility 
the proprietor, an ornament to the place.! 

fcHon. John A Collier is still (May, 1872) living at his resi- 
de, Ingleside, but is unable to walk or do any business 
jf Xorthwest corner of Court and Washington Streets. 
1 Col. Ely is still 08731, living and in very good health. Hi 8 



CHAPTER XV. 

In the year 1810, Dr. Tracy Robinson became a resi- 
dent of the village. Dr. Robinson came here from Co- 
lumbus, in Chenango county, of this State, where he 
had practiced medicine for ten years. Previous to this 
he had practiced one year in Sherburne. This was the 
first of his practice. Dr. R. studied medicine first under 
a Dr. Manning, of Lisbon, in Connecticut. The latter 
part of his study was conducted under Dr. Thompson,, 
of Brookfield, Madison county. 

Soon after coming into the place he purchased where 
Mr. Merrill's hat store and Mr. Rugg's law office are— ai 
lot,* dwelling house and store for $800. He went im- 
mediately into the druggist business, occupying the 
store for that purpose, and continued, at the same time,, 
the practice of medicine. In 1812, he took Dr. Ammi 
Doubleday into partnership with himself, in the two de- 
partments, for the term of five years. Before the expi- 
ration of this time, Dr. Doubleday took the druggist 
business into his own hands, and Dr. Robinson openedi 
a store of dry goods ; practising at the same time, _and at 
this particular time too, conducting the press. He con, 
tinned the dry goods store for about three years, and 
then practiced medicine exclusively for some three on 
four years. In 1819, he went into the tavern house, 
where" Mr. Jarvis now keeps. Here he continued ten 
years with Major A. Morgan, his partner. During this 
time he discontinued practice. He gave to the estabi 
lishment, of which he was landlord, the name ot tn« 

residence, referred to in the text as then just ■ completed is still 

standing, and forms the rear part of *os. 93, 95 and 97 Wast 

ington-st. 

* About Nos, 37 and 39 Court street. 



Annals of Binghamton. 101 

" Binghamton Hotel," which it has ever since retained.* 

At the expiration of these ten years, he resumed the 
dry goods business, in which he continued till 1833, 
when he was appointed Postmaster, which office he still 
continues fcu hold. He was appointed Judge and Jus- 
tice of the Peace in 1811. At the adoption of the new 
constitution, in 1822, he was appointed first Judge of 
Broome county. This office he held till 1833, when 
Judge Seymour was appointed in his place. 

Since the establishment of the Episoopal church in 
the place, Dr. Robinson has been almost continually an 
active and important member of its Vestry, f 

In 1810, a Mr. Atwell came into the place, and made 
a contract for a lot, where the Phenix Hotel is, and 
built a blacksmith's shop and followed the business ; 
but with this business he* connected— incongruous as it 
may appear— that of teaching a dancing school and play- 
ing the violin for his pupils. He would work at his 
blacksmithing in the daytime, and teach his dancing 
school at night. Men of the first respectability of the 
place attended ; so ready were they to avail themselves 
of but a poor opportunity to acquire this important art. 

In this year, 1810, George Park, Esq., became a resi- 
dent of the village. He came to this place from Amenia, 
Dutchess county, which is his native place. He studied 
law under James Tallmadge, Esq., of Poughkeepsie, and 
iwas admitted to the bar in 1811. He was deputy clerk 
in 1817-18, doing the entire business of the office under 
A. Doubleday, the principal; appointed Surrogate in 
|1822, and held that office for thirteen years ; was a Com- 
'missioner of Deeds from 1820 to 1834 ; was elected Jus- 
tice of the Peace in 1829 and holds that offioe still. 
.Iftsq. Park, in 1812, married the daughter of J. G. Bes- 
ijsac, a French gentleman, who came to this country dur- 

i * Afterwards called the American Hotel, and now called the 
pafferty House. 

I f Dr. Robinson died in November, 1867. He was the father of 
ien. John C. Robinson, Henry L. Robinson and E. I>. Robinson, 
iff this city, His daughter married Major Augustus Morgan, 



! 



1G2 Annals of Binglutmion. 

iiia' the revolutionary war, as one of the Staff of Count 
Rochambeau. M. Bessac married, in this country, the 
daughter of Gol. Nichols, of Dutchess county ; and the 
daughter, Mrs. Park, exhibits, even now, the results of 
an early education, far superior to that of most— even of 
the educated part— of American women. 

Esq. Park has, for a number of years, turned his at- 
tention, in his leisure hours, to the science of mineralo- 
gy. During sixteen or eighten years he has been collec- 
ting minerals ; and his cabinet consists now of about 
300' specimens, exclusive of shells, petrefaotions, &c, 
which he has obtained, in his correspondence, with re- 
mote parts of the world, as well as from his own section 
of the country. 

In this year also Marshall Lewis, the father of Col.H. 
Lewis, of the village, moved his family into the place ; 
built a saw mill and grist mill where his son's mills now 
are ; a man of enterprise and business talents, as well as . 
of mechanical genius. 

In the same year there was built a two story school I 
house, through the enterprise of Mr. Le Roy, 011 the 
west side of the river, on Front street, a little south of I 
Mr. Merrill's dwelling house. It was taken down by Mr. 
Collier. This house was built to induce settlement on < 
that side of the river. 

In 1811, Mr. Lewis St.John came from Canaan, Conn.,., 
with a young family, and settled first on the old road as^ 
it led down from the old Chenango village, where Dea-- 
eon Smith now lives. He and his father at this time, 
purchased together. In 1815, he purchased where he* 
now lives, on the west side of the Chenango. The pur-' 
chase or farm contained 107 acres, lying within the pre- 
sent corporation limits ; i. e. from Front street west to< 
the western boundary of the corporation, and from the 
Susquehanna north to within forty rods of Main streeti 
The purchase wits made of Mr. Le'Roy, at $30 per acre? 
and about one-fourth part, at that time, cleared. The 
rise in the value of land has made the purchaser wealthy 
In this year, 1811, Mr. Myron Merrill came into til 



Annals of Binglmmton. 16,'} 

Tofe JF Y \ parents moved from West Hartford, in 
1800, to bherburne, Chenango county, when he was 11 
years of age. He served an apprenticeship with his 
brother at the hatting business. Upon coming into the 
place he commenced business on the west side of the 
Chenango and north side of the road, and in the second 
building from the bridge, yet standing. He purchased 
where he now lives, in 1818, for $1,100. He married the 
daughter of Asa Robinson, the father of Peter Robinson 
of the village. Mr. Merrill was concerned with J. Whit' 
gey and 8. Weed in putting up the stone building, and 
the brick building adjoining, which were opposite and 
north of the Binghamton Hotel. He was in the mer- 
cantile business from 1822 to 1827 with Richard Math- 
er; engaged from 1828 to 1835 with Mr. Leavenworth 
m the same business. He has been a member of the 
vestry of the Episcopal church nearly the whole time of 
. its existence here ; was an original proprietor of the 
! Susquehanna bridge. He and Mr. Root entered into 
i company m the hatting business, both as merchants and 
J manufacturers, in 1833, and still continue that relation 
In this year also came Col. Joseph B. Abbott, when 
only fourteen years of age, with the family and under 
| the care of Lewis St. John.* He served an apprentice- 
ship with Mr. James Squires. He went into business 
in 1821 for himself, in company with Lewis Squires, 
, whose daughter he married the same year. In 1820 
; Mr. Abbott travelled into the States of Pennsylvania, 
[Maryland and Virginia, to inform himself Of men, and 
ol his particular business. He, with his father-in-law, 
jbuilt for their tanning operations, on Court street, which 
[were taken away by the passage of the canal. They in 
company, built, in 1828, the old tavern-house, called 
|irom the beginning, the "Broome County House "f 
[which was destroyed in the great fire. The stand had 
ibeen previous to the fire sold for $10,000. Mi\ Abbott's 

* CqI. Abbott was 12 instead of 14 years of age at that time, 
f Bite of the Exchange Hotel , 



164 AnnaU of ' Binyhamton. 

brothers, William and Charles, became partners with 
him in 1836. 

As late as 1811, the shrub oaks and yellow pines were 
standing within four rods of the Court House. 

In this year, James C. Smead came and set up black- 
smithing in Water street, where his shop now stands.* 

In the year 1812, John S. Townley, who has been spo- 
ken of as an early settler in the village, and as an active 
and important mechanic, suddenly and mysteriously dis- 
appeared ; and it is not known to this day what became 
of him. 

In 1812, several chiefs visited the village from Oneida, 
to make enquiry relative to the possibility of re-obtain- 
ing the Castle farm. From this it appears they were 
the natural heirs of those who were once its proprietors. 
They called upon John A. Collier for counsel. Upon 
enquiry, Mr. Collier found that they could not produce 
available testimony before a court, he therefore could 
give them no encouragement. 

Maj. Augustus Morgan appears to have been the prin- 
cipal, if not the only, addition made to the village in- 
habitants this year. Mr. Morgan, either immediately, 
or soon after coming into the village, went into the 
printing business. In 1819, in company with his" fath- : 
er-iu-law, he kept the public house where Mr. Jar vis 
now keeps, then called the "Binghamton Coffee House." 
Its present name was given it by Dr. Robinson. In 1820 
he went into the staging business ; and since that period 
has had a large interest in extended and remote lines in 
different parts of the XJnion.t 

The next year, 1813, Thomas Gr. Waterman became a 

* He was the father of James Smead who has a blacksmith t 
ghop on the same old site on Water street. 

\ Major Morgan became, and continued during his long life, one 
of the most prominent and highly esteemed citizens of Bingham- 
ton and of the county. He died September 26, 1869. He was 
the father of Tracy R. Morgan, Esq., cashier of the National 
Broome County Bank, F. A. Morgan, J. P. Morgan, Mrs. Wm. L. 
Ford, and Mrs. Helen A, McMamara. 



Annals of Binghamton. 165 

resident of the village. The place of his nativity, and 
from which he migrated, was Salisbury, Conn. He was 
educated in Yale College ; studied law under Judge 
Sherwood, now a distinguished law} f er in the city of 
New York. Mr. Waterman has written and published 
a work, entitled "The Justice's Manual." This work 
has had a wide circulation, and has passed, it is believed, 
through three editions. He has been a member of both 
houses of the State Legislature, one year in the House 
of Assembly, and four years in the Senate. Mr. Water- 
man married the daughter of Gen. J. Whitney. Mrs. 
Waterman received from her father, as a marriage doAv- 
er, the corner house and lot where the Eagle Buildings 
now stand, which had been lately purchased of James 
Squires. The edifice Mr. Waterman enlarged and im- 
proved, and attached to it a small law office. Here he 
lived until 1818, when he moved to Front street where he 
now lives. Gen. Waterman is now extensively engaged in 
the lumbering interest, and transports yearly to market 
about one million oi feet ; sending his lumber by the Che- 
nango and Erie canals to Albany, Troy and New York. 

From this time forth and previously, there were men 
in it who were well qualified to give order and stability 
to the legal and financial interest and proceedings of the 
village, and happily disposed to induce and encourage 
;both by their example and direct or indirect precept, 
I business tact and habits. This contributed largely to 
| lay the foundation for that order, precision, industry, 
! economy, and consequent prosperity, for which the vil- 
lage may be distinguished. The legal knowledge of gen- 
jtlemen of the law came materially into requisition, to ex- 
jpound the law of the land, and to explain the rights and 
duties of men in their new relations. This greatly fa- 
bilitated and rendered more safe the commercial inter- 
course of the village inhabitants. 

In 1812, Dr. Ammi Doubleday came from Lebanon 
jSpring, in Columbia county,to Berkshire in Tioga county, 
where he remained but a few months ; he then removed 
j:o Windsor, and boarded in the family of the present 



; 



166 Annals of Binghamton. 

Deacon StoAY ; here he remained but for a short time, 
and came into this village in. December of 1813, when 
he went immediately into the druggist business, in part- 
nership with Dr. Kobinson, and practiced medicine at 
the same time. This partnership continued about one 
year ; and after the close of it, Dr. Doubleday continued 
the business alone about the same period. He then sold 
out the establishment to his brother, John Doubleday, 
who had, since his coming into the village, been his 
clerk. After dissolving his connection with the drug- 
gist business he went to superintend the lime works, 
about eight miles above the village, on the west side of 
the Chenango. Here it is believed he remained until he 
was appointed County Clerk, in 1817. 

Dr. Doubleday, even previously to his appointment to 
the clerkship, had discontinued the practice of medicine, 
probably from having entered so largely into other busi- 
ness. Since the close of his clerkship, which was in 
1820 or 1821, till within a few years, he has been en- 
gaged in the purchase and sale of village property. He 
has lately had charge of a section of the great water 
works, designed to supply the city of New York with 
water. He has at this time charge of the first and sec- 
ond sections of the New York and Erie Railroad. 

Dr. Doubleday acquired his medical knowledge, pre- 
vious to his license, of Dr. De Lamater, a physician of 
very great celebrity, both as a practitioner and as pro- 
fessor in the medical school at Pittsfield, Mass. Dr. D/s 
attainments in medicine, even at the time of his com- 
mencing practice, are said to have been much above me- 
diocrity. His attainments also in mineralogy, which 
have been made since in his leisure hours — and such 
the most industrious may find — are well worthy of no- 
tice and commendation.* 

* Dr. Doubleday died in July, 1867. He remained an active 
business man up to nearly the day of liis death. He did very 
much to build up the city of Binghamton, being one of the lead 
ing and most enterprising citizens from his first arrival to the 
time of his death. He leaves a large family surviving him. 



Annals of Binykamtoiu 167 

In this year John T. Donbleday, brother of Dr. Am- 
mi Donbleday, came into the village. He married the 
daughter of Esq. M. Whiting, who has already been spo- 
ken of. Mr. Donbleday has turned his attention for a 
number of years to gardening as a science, to botany, 
and to mineralogy. His garden, though not large, con- 
tains a great variety of plants and flowers. Many of 
them are wild flowers brought under cultivation, and 
several foreign and rare plants. Mr. D. has for many 
years been a member of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. 
Donbleday, his wife, has recently written a volume, en- 
titled " Hints and Sketches." It is of a religious char- 
acter, and is written in an easy and perspicuous style. 

In this year, 1813, Mr. Benjamin Sawtell built a store 
for Christopher Eldredge, where Col. Lewis' store now 
stands.* In raising this building, the company of a re- 
cruiting officer, Capt. Dan vers, was invited to "assist in 
raising. This occasioned less regularity and care in the 
erection ; the consequences were nearly fatal. The frame, 
when about two thirds raised, fell, and materially hurt 
several. That, with two others, built since, have been 
raised two stories high, with a brick front, and one roof 
put over the whole. 

In this year, Stephen Weed came into the place from 
Westchester county. Mr. Weed has employed himself 
in a variety of business, and has acquired a handsome 
estate, f 

In 1814, John B. Mcintosh came into the village from 
the city of New York, a tailor. This business he has 
uniformly followed since. He first bought and built on 
the south side of the causeway, which extends from the 
jfoot of Court-street to the end of the red bridge; at that 
;ime a part of the bridge itself. His house was one sto- 
•y above the bridge and two stories below. Three oth- 
irs, built in the same manner, with the buildings united, 
iihus formed a little row. J 

* About No. 30 Court street. 
I f He was the father of Waring S. Weed and James Weed of 
iiis city. 
I \ Site of the present Stocking (LaFayette) Block, 



! 



168 Annals of Binghamton. 

In the year 1814, also, Julius Page, now General Page, 
came into the village, and entered as apprentice clerk to 
Mr. Whitney and Mr. Eldredge, who were then partners in 
mercantile business. Gen. Page was born in this town in 
1799, the son of Jared Page, who settled as early as 1791, 
at the mouth of a creek emptying into the Chenango, 
opposite Big Island, called since Page's Creek. Gen. 
Page, when a child, was obliged to be familiar with the 
sight of the Indians, and with the papooses, though he 
states he was always afraid of them. In 1820 he com- 
menced business in Lisle. The next year he commenced 
business in the village in Court street, in a small wood- 
en building where Whiting and Squires' present store 
is, then owned by Mr. Whitney.* There was then only 
one store on the north side of the street besides Gen. 
Page's ; and on the south side two stores, Eldredge's and 
Hawley and Tompkins'. In 1823 he purchased a lot 
wher<| his store now is, on which then stood a shed be- 
longing to the tavern house, f It was a part of the orig- 
inal tavern lot, and was bought for $150. In the same 
year he purchased the house and lot Avhere Judge Rob- 
inson now lives. In 1825 he purchased where he now 
lives, of his brother ; the house and outbuildings in a 
very unfinished state. In 1839 he received Mr. R. M. 
Bailey, from Berkshire county, Mass., into partnership in 
his store. 

In 1815 Samuel Smith, Esq., became a resident of the 
village. He, with his wife, moved from Westchesten 
county. He went immediately into the tanning and 
currying business, which he has prosecuted ever since. 
He early built the house in which Dr. Brooks now re- 
sides, and lived in it until he built his present dwelling, 
house. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1825^ 
and held the office for ten years ; was Supervisor one< 
year. 

Mr. Richard Mather came from Lyme, Conn., in 1815,i 
and entered as clerk in Col. Ely's store. He went into 

* About No. 35 Court street, 
f About No. 32 Court street. 



Annals of Binghamton, lt>9 

business for himself in 1823. In 1824 built on the west 
side of the Chenango river, where Mr. Hall now owns 
and lives; built his present residence in 1838 ; built af- 
ter the modern style of large pillars. His brother Hen- 
ry came into the village much later, in 1828 : but en- 
tered immediately into partnership with his elder broth- 
er in the mercantile business. They have both been 
successful in this branch of enterprise. They married 
sisters, the daughters of Esq. M. Whiting ; and have 
been members and able supporters of the Presbyterian 
church for a number of years* 

Sylvester Mather, the father of Richard and Henry, 
was master of a vessel employed in the West India trade. 
He was lost at sea in the year 1811, of whom no trace 
was afterward heard. He was bound, when he left the 
last known port, to the Island of Antigua. His widow, 
who is still living, and lives in this village, was left with 
seven children, so young as to be dependent upon the 
wisdom, exertion, and provident care of the mother. 
Mr. Mather was a descendant of Increase Mather, whose 
celebrity, as a pious, efficient and early clergyman of 
New England, has reached down to our day. 

In this year, also, Peter Robinson, Esq., came into the 
place. He had then lately graduated at Dartmouth Col- 
lege, in Hanover, N". H., of which State he is a native. 
He studied law in this place under Gen. Waterman, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1819. Mr. Robinson was a 
member, and an active and able member too, of the State 
Legislature for six years, terminating in 1831 ; one term 
of which he was chosen Speaker of the House. He has 
always been considered an able advocate in the courts 
of his own county. He has held the office of Surrogate^ 
and been magistrate for a length of time. 

In 1816 Mr. Jonas Waterhouse and family came from 
Hunterdon county, JN. J., and settled where Mr. C. 
Eldredge now resides.* He purchased a farm upon that 
location of four hundred acres. This farm constitutes 

* The Eldredge Homestead, south side of the Susquehanna 
river, opposite the mouth of the Chenango. 



170 Annate of BingJbamton. 

an important part of Mr. Eldredge's premises, where he 
lives. He built the west end of Mr. Eldredge's present 
residence. He occupied these premises for about twelve 
years, and kept the ferry at the crossing place until the 
Susquehanna bridge was built. Owing to financial em- 
barrassment, he was obliged to part with his property 
for much less than its appropriate value. 

In 1817 Mr. LeRoy left the village and moved to the 
West. 

In the year 1818, Major Martin Hawley came into the 
village. He bought of Joshua Whitney, the store now 
occupied by Col. Lewis. Upon going into the mercan- 
tile business he took as a partner, Mr. Gilbert Tomp- 
kins, who had become a resident in the village about 
the same time. In 1821 he bought the house now owned 
and occupied by Daniel S. Dickinson, Esq.,* then in an 
unfinished state; and after fitting it up, nearly answer- 
ing to its present style, he moved his family into it. 
In 1828, he purchased of the agent of the Bingham es- 
tate, in conjunction with Col. Tower, nearly all the va- 
cant lands in the eastern part oi the village plot, amount- 
ing to about seventy acres. It was then covered with 
oak and pine, which, in a short time, he cleared and 
sowed with wheat. In the year 1829, and subsequently, 
at different times, he purchased of the State, and of the 
heirs and assigns of the late Judge Cooper, about 2500 
acres of land lying between the Susquehanna river and 
the State line. This tract had been occupied either by 
purchasers under Judge Cooper, or by squatters, to the 
number of about twenty families. At the time Major 
Hawley made these purchases, the residents had nearly 
all abandoned the land, and condemned it to sterility, 
and as unfit for cultivation ; but being of an opinion 
that this notion had been taken up from mistaken pre- 
mises and a very imperfect trial of the soil, and feeling 
desirous to redeem the uplands of the country from the 
unreasonable — or at least unfavorable — prejudices they 

* No. 40 Washington street. 



Annals of Binghdmton. 171 

seemed so generally to lie under, as well as the laudable 
purpose to cultivate the land under his own supervision, 
he moved on to the tract in the spring of 1833. He 
commenced a dairy of fifty cows ; and by various exper- 
iments and improvements, he soon ascertained that 
these lands, in common with all the up-lands of Broome 
County, are of an excellent quality for all the grasses 
that are cultivated in this country ; and abundantly 
capable, with suitable cultivation, of producing grains 
of all kinds, even sufficient to sustain a dense popula- 
tion. Maj. Hawley remained upon his Cooper tract for 
three seasons, when he returned to the village; and hav- 
ing subdivided his village land into lots, lie has since 
been employed in building upon some, and disposing 
of others. 

The same year, 1818, Mr. Gilbert Tompkins came in- 
to the village as a resident, from Oneida county, and 
went immediately into the mercantile business in co- 
partnership with Maj. Hawley. In this branch of busi- 
ness, with the same linn, he continued till 1824. Built 
the corner stone store building, on the north side of 
Court street, and opposite Jarvis' Hotel, in 1827. He 
became one of the proprietors of the red bridge in 1831. 
At the period of Mr. Tompkins coming into the village, 
the price of transportation from New York was $3 per 
cwt. ; now, the price is sixty-two and a half cents. He 
built his present residence in 1830, which is of tasty 
structure, and stands, though in the midst of the village, 
yet retiredly situated, on the eastern bank of the Chen- 
ango. Maj. Hawley and Mr. Tompkins married sisters. 

The year previous, in 1817, Philip Bigler moved into 
the village. He was originally from Hunterdon county, 
N. J., and immigrated into Union, in 1805. In 1822, he 
moved to TJtica; and in 1833, he returned to the village, 
and has since been engaged in the bakery and provision 
business. 

In this year, 1820, Mr. Jeremiah Campbell came into 
the place and set up blacksmithing, where he now is. 

In 1821, Thomas and James Evans came into the 



172 Annals of Binghamton, 

village. They are twin brothers, who came from Tin- 
bury, in Worcestershire, of England. They were 
mechanics of the first description, and had been in busi- 
ness in England. Their connections in their native 
country are both wealthy and respectable. Upon com- 
ing here, Thomas purchased the corner house which 
was formerly owned by Thomas G. Waterman, where he 
lived for a number of years. His present Eagle Build- 
ings occupy the same site. James the brother, purchas- 
ed the opposite corner to Dr. A, Doubleday. James 
now resides in the country, about three miles out of the 
village. They have both become wealthy. 

In this year, also, 1821, Samuel Peterson, the Inn- 
keeper upon the west side of the Chenango river, came 
into the village. He moved to this place from Philadel- 
phia.* 

In 1822 or % Hamilton Collier came into the place 
fromOwego; studied law under his brother John A. 
Collier, and was submitted to practice in 1829. He re- 
ceived the appointment of District Attorney in 1837. f 

In 1823, Dr. Silas West came from Vernon, in Oneida 
county. He immediately commenced the practice of 
medicine, and went also into the druggist business. 
He continues the practice of medicine still, and has at 
no time of his village life suspended it. Dr. West stud- 
ied medicine in Paris, Oneida county, under Dr. Judd, 
an uncle of Mrs. D. Lanterman; attended lectures at 
Fairfield, in Herkimer county. J 

In the same year, David Lanterman came into the 
village and went first into the druggist business, in part- 
nership with Dr. West, in the red store on Water street. 
In 1828, he purchased and built where he now lives. In 
1830, he formed a co-partnership with Solon Stocking 
in a store which was kept in a part of the Centre Build- 

* See note, page 158. 

f Hamilton Collier died at Oberlin, Ohio, in 1865. He was Sur- 
rogate of Broome County in the years 1841, '42 and '43. 

\ Dr West died in the year 1859. Dr. Henry West, missionary 
physician at Sivas, Turkey in Asia, is a son of Dr ; Silas West. 



Annals of Binghamton. 173 

ings, and which continued two years. Mr. Lanterman 
was a member of the Board of Village Trustees in 1837. 

In 1824, Mr. Solon Stocking was appointed as preach- 
er in the Methodist connection, upon this circuit. Be- 
fore one year of his ministry here expired, his health so 
far failed him, as obliged him to relinquish preaching, 
except occasionally in a local capacity. He married 
the daughter of Col. Samuel Seymour, of this county, 
and went into the mercantile business in 1826. lie 
built his Centre Buildings in 1838 and ? 9.* 

In the same year, T. G. Waterman was chosen Briga- 
dier General, and Virgil Whitney and Franklin, his 
brother, Charles W. Palmer, and Richard Mather were 
his staff. 

In this year Oliver C. Bradford came into the place 
from Cooperstown, and established, upon coming in, his 
watchmaking and silversmith business, which he has 
ever since prosecuted. He opened his business first up- 
on the bridge, in what was called the "row," with a part- 
ner by the name of Bradley, who is now in Utica, and 
wealthy. 

In 1825, Thomas Allen became an inhabitant of the 
village, and immediately commenced the saddlery and 
harness making, in a building immediately west of Col- 
lier's corner. 

In this year, also, John D. Smith became an inhabit- 
ant of the village. Mr. Smith built, or rather finished, 
the pleasant and tasty dwelling where he now lives; and 
which may be considered as an appropriate representa- 
tive of his property. He is a member of the Methodist 
church. 

In the year 1829, Mr. Curtiss Thorp came into the 
village, and commenced his nursery of fruit trees. His 
present nursery is about four miles above the village, 
on the west side of the Chenango, For about eight or 
nine years he has grafted, upon an average, about 15,- 
000 scions, per year; principally of apple trees, of the 
most choice kinds, 
. * Site of LaFayetie Block, foot of Court street. 



174 Annals of Binghamton* 

In 1828, Charles AY. Sanford came from Chenango 
comity to this place, and went into the mercantile busi- 
ness, in company with Levi Dimmick. Since leaving 
the mercantile business he has interested himself in the 
purchase of village lots, and has contributed his mite in 
encouraging foreigners to come in and settle. 

In the same year, Levi Dimmick came into the village* 
He went into the mercantile business, in Company with 
Mr. Charles Sanford, and continued therein three years* 
Mr. Dimmick was originally from Connecticut* 

In this year* an act of the Legislature passed, far ih§ 
erection of a new Court House in this place; 15000 
were to be raised in the county for the purpose. Ammi 
Doubleday, Grover Buel, and George Wheeler were ap- 
pointed Commissioners to superintend the work. 

In the year 1831, Daniel S. Dickinson came into the 
village. He came here from Guilford, Chenango 
county ; studied law under Clark and Clapp, of .Norwich*, 
of that county. He has been President of the Board of 
Trustees of the village for several years* In 1836, he 
was elected member of the State Senate. He has dis- 
tinguished himself on the Senate floor* in almost all the 
great questions that have come before that body since 
he has been a member of it ; especially the Usury Bill 
of 1838-9* Mr* Dickinson's style of public speaking is 
of an energetic character. His conceptions are clear, 
and his language forcible ; with a vein of wit, and some- 
times sarcasm, running through it. 

Lewis Seymour came into the village also in 1831 , 
and commenced the mercantile business in company 
with James and John McKinney on Court-st., first door 
east of the Binghamton Hotel, where Mr. Newton's pre- 
ent store is. Mr. Seymour is a son of Samuel Seymour, 
who has-been mentioned as one of the earliest settlers of 
Union. He has been engaged in the lumbering busi- 
ness for 25 years.* 

* Lewis Seymour was the father e»f Lewis Seymour, Esq., of 
this city. He was drowned in the Chenango river ahove the 
Court street Bridge, while attempting to save a young man from 
drowning. The young man was also drowned. 



Annals of Bingliamton. ITS 

In this year, ajso, Joseph K. Rugg became a resident 
of the village, as a student in the law under Mr. Bos-, 
worth, then of this place. In the fall of 1834, he was 
admitted to the Supreme Qoiirt, In '36 he received the 
appointment of Surrogate of Broome county, which of-, 
fice he still holds, He was admitted as counsellor at 
law in 1838, M**- Rugg? among his younger brethren in 
the law, holds about the first place, both as counsel and t 
as advocate, Mr. Bosworth, his preceptor, is now in the 
city of New York ; a man of talents,* 

In March, of 1832, John R. Dickinson, a brother to 
Daniel S. Dickinson? became a resident of Binghamton, 
lie was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court anc[ 
Chancery in 1838, 

Ausbiirn Birclsall was born in Otsego county. He 
commenced the study of the law under D. S. Pickinson^ 
in Guilford, 1831 ; come to this village with his precept 
tor in March, 18*33. He was adniittecl as Attorney in 
the Supreme Court, and as Solicitor in Chancery, in 
1836 ; received into partnership with Mi'- Dickinson* 
his preceptor, about the same time. Mr. BirdsaU was 
honored with commission of brigade Major and Inspector 
in March, 1836, which office he still holds. 

In 1832, General Yin, cent Whitney was elected mem<< 
her- of the Legislature, In the same year he was elected 
Brigadier General of the militia* In 1833, lie was re* 
elected to the Legislature, 

In 1830, William Wallace ^Yhitney, and son to Gen s 
Joshua Whitney, went to the south for his health, He 
married a very rich heiress of Wilmington, Del,, in 
1832. He died in New Orleans, of the yellow fever, in 
1837. His widow has since married Maj. Gen. Gaines, 
of the U. S. Army.f 

In 1833, Laurel 0. Belden came into the village from 
Guilford. He was admitted to the bar in the fall of 

# Mr. Bosworth, here mentioned, is Judge Joseph Bosworth, of 
fo.W York, 

j- S^e is the, Myra Clark Gaines, whose important cases in tlj§ 
United Stafes Courts have attracted, so much attention 



176 Annals of Binghamton. 

1836. Esq. Beldcn, with his habits of industry, is des-< 
tined to rise in his profession. 

In the same year, Levi M. Rexford commenced nreis 
chandise in the druggist line. His brother was a part- 
ner for a short time; a large establishment. 

In this year, also, Joseph Boughton became a resident 
of this village; studied law under D. S. Dickinson, and 
was admitted to practice in the May term of 1836. Mr. 
Boughton stands fair to excel in fine writing. 

The year 1834 was distinguished by a great freshet. 
The waters of the Susquehanna made a passage around 
Gen. Waterman's mills and wore a channel five or six 
feet deep, wide enough to admit rafts through ; adding 
one-fourth to the original width of the liver. In the sicfe 
of the newly formed bank, below the present furnace, 
there were found, in several distinct places, stone tight- 
ly laid together, and forming a concavity, which might 
have answered, and undoubtley did, for a pot or oven in 
Indian cookery. 

William Wentz, son of the elder Peter Wentz, com- 
menced his engineering course in 1833, under Judge 
Wright, while surveying the New York and Erie Bail- 
road. Mr. Wentz bids fair to distinguish himself as an 
engineer. 

In this year, Horatio and Alfred S. Evans commenced, 
their present firm in the mercantile business. For two 
years previous, Horatio and his father had formed the 
company of this establishment. 

Dr. Stephen D. Hand came into the village in 1835^ 
from New Lebanon, Columbia county. He was born, 
brought up, and studied medicine in that place. He 
graduated at the Berkshire Medical Institution, and re? 
ceived the degree of M. D. from the faculty of William 
College, with which that institution is connected. 

In the same year, Benjamin N. Loomis came into the 
village, and commenced the study of the law under Mr, 
Rugg ; was admitted as an attorney in the Supreme 
Court in October, 1838, 

Jn thig yeai'j W^o f MfVJ- P. Mills cauie into the yil| 



Annals of B inghamton. 177 

lage. He is a native of Massachusetts ; was in the 
Army of the IT. S. during the last war with Great 
Britain, and engaged in most of the actions upon the 
Niagara, frontier. He was reported as " mortally wound- 
ed/' in the action of Stoney Creek, Upper Canada, where 
he was left on the retreat" of the American Army, and. 
became a prisoner to the enemy. By them he was'treat- 
ed with kindness, in consequence, as he believes, of a. 
previous acquaintance with Col. Ilervev, of the British 
Army. 

In this year, 1835, also came Haniden K. Pratt into 
the village, and went immediately into partnership with 
his late brother, William Pratt, who was himself at 
that time a hardware merchant, and the first establish- 
ed in the place. It still continues of the same char- 
acter, and is a large establishment. Mr. Pratt is now 
in firm with J. E. Sampson. 

In the same year, Hiram Birdsall, a brother of Aus- 
b u rn Birdsall, Esq., commenced mercantile business in 
the village. 

In 1836, Samuel Brown, Jr., in company with George 
F. Bragg, commenced mercantile business where they 
now are. The sales of this firm are very considerable. 
Mr. Brown is a nephew of the late Major General Brown, 
of the IT. S. Army. 

^ In the same year, also, Dr. P. B. Brooks came into 
the village, and re-commenced the practice, of medicine 
and surgery. Dr. Brooks has during his medical life, 
practiced principally within this county. 

Samuel H, P. Hall came in 1837, and entered into the 
mercantile business very largely from the beginning. 
He is a native of Middletown, Conn. Previously to his 
coming into the place he had been in business iii Water- 
town, of this state. 

Uriah M. Stowers came into the village when quite a 
lad, from Towanda, and entered as clerk into E. Mather's 
store, In 1837, he entered into partnership Avith Col. 
Ely, and his connection still remains. The firm do a 
large business. 



178 Annals of Binghamton. 

The firm of Whiting and Squires commenced in 1837. 

In this year, Henry Jar via became a resident of the 
village from Poughkeepsie, and entered, as landlord, 
the Binghamton hotel, which he still keeps. 

In July of this year, also, Samuel Johnson, a young 
gentleman, and artist, from the city of New York, came 
into the place. Mr. Johnson is a portrait painter whose 
genius and skill in the art will inevitably distinguish 
him. He was born in Washington county, of this state; 
was inclined to drawing objects around him and ornament- 
al penmanship when a lad at school. He had taken por- 
traits for a length of time before he was conversant with 
any artist or teacher, whose official instructions he found 
he had anticipated. 

In this } 7 ear also, Dr. Nathan S. Davis came into the 
village, immediately, or soon after, taking license. Dr. 
Davis is from Chenango county, wheie he studied medi- 
cine under Dr. Clark. He attended three course of lec- 
turers at the Fairfield Medical Institution of Herkimer 
county, from which he received the degree of M. D. 

In August, 1838, Mayhew McDonald came into the 
village and commenced the practice of law. He is from 
Otsego county ; studied law in Delhi, of Delaware coun- 
ty, under Charles Hathaway, a wealthy and talented 
lawyer of that place. He was admitted to the Supreme 
Court as attorney at law and Solicitor in Chancery, in 
January term of 1839. 

In the same year Dr. Edwin Eldridge became a resi- 
dent of the village. Dr. Eldridge grew up upon the banks 
of the Hudson. After previous studies, he entered the 
Medical Institution of New York, where he attended 
two courses of lectures. He afterward attended one 
course at the Institution of Fairfield. He afterward at- 
tended two sessions at the Hospital and Eye Infirmary 
of New York. It oppears that Dr. Eidridge's medical 
opportunities have been of the first order. 

In the spring of 1838, Lorenzo Seymour moved into 
village and took charge <~>f the Broome County House ; 
and had been the landlord of it but a short time previ- 



Annals of Binghamton. 179 

ous to the great fire, in which the building was consum- 
ed. He is now landlord of Phenix Hotel. 

In this year, 1838, on Tuesday night, June 19th, oc- 
curred, in the village, one of the most destructive fires 
ever known in this section of country. It commenced 
in a tin and sheet-iron manufactory belonging to H. & 
A. J. Evans, standing in the rear of the corner or Eagle 
Buildings ; and when but few of the inhabitants had 
collected, the flames had spread to the rear of the build- 
ings adjacent on Court and Franklin-streets. In about 
forty minutes the buildings on these two streets belong- 
ing to the block, with one or two exceptions, were wrap- 
ped in one entire flame. The loss that was sustained, 
with the impression left upon* the minds of the villagers, 
will be sufficient to record it, with most of its details, 
for many years to come. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

We shall now speak more particularly of the public in- 
stitutions of the place. 

There was a Postoffice established as early as 1705 or 
'6, and Joshua Whitney was the first Postmaster. It was 
established through his agency, and he contracted for 
the transportation of the mail from Catskill 
to this place. He kept the office at his own dwelling, 
and continued in office until about 1800, when 
it was transferred to Oringh Stoddard, and kept at 
Union. In 1802, it passed to the trust of William Woodruff, 
Esq., who was the first Postmaster in the village. He 
held the office for about six years, and located it in the 
tavern-house which stood where Bragg's store now does; 
and of which he was landlord. Judge Robert Monell 
succeeded Mr. Woodruff, and held the office two years. 



180 Annate of Binghamton. 

It was now removed to Water-sreet, and kept in the 
Stuart house, where also Judge Monell had his law of- 
fice. He removed both these offices to a room in the 
Keeler tavern-house, where he was at the time boarding; 
kept then by Judge McKinney. 

The next in order of Postmasters was Judge McKin- 
ney, who kept the office where it was already located. 
In consequence of Mr. McKinney's moving upon his 
farm at some distance from the village, he left the office 
in charge of a deputy until the appointment of another 
Postmaster. His successor was Esq. Woodruff again. 
He kept the office in an upper room of the toll-house ; 
he afterward removed it to where Mr. Rexford's drug- 
gist store now is ; the same building, same room. In 
about the year 1813 or '14, Judge McKinney was re- 
appointed. He placed the office in Zenas Pratt's store, 
who kept where the Phenix Hotel is; in a part of the 
building that burnt down. In 1817, the office was 
transferred to Zenas Pratt, who kept it in his own 
-dwelling house. In 1821, John C. Swain succeeded Mr. 
Pratt, and kept the office in his store, which stood at 
•the foot of Court-street. In 1823, Virgil Whitney re- 
ceived the appointment of the office. He held it for ten 
years, and is said to have been a faithful and assiduous 
'.officer in the department, To Mr. Whitney succeeded, 
in 1836, Dr. Robinson, who is the present Postmaster. 
Dr. R. at first kept the office in the southern portion of 
Mr. Jarvis' tavern-house. At the completion of the 
Exchange Buildings he moved the office to those build- 
ings ; and the past summer or autumn he again removed 
it to one part of the Phenix house ; undoubtedly for the 
greater conveniency of the mail stage. 

The mail was carried at first, and for many years i 
afterward, on horseback. It was carried through from 
Catskill to Elmira once a fortnight; and one Charles! 
Stone rode post for several years. In 1810, there was a . 
mail from the east and west, and from the north once a. 
week, but still on horseback. The avails at this time to i 
the Postmaster was about sixty dollars a year. There 



Annals of Binghamton. 181 

are now, in arrivals and dismissals, eight mails per day ; 
and two days in the week, ten mails. The net avails to 
the Government is abont $1800. 

The county of Broome was set off from Tioga, and 
organized on" the 13th of May, 1806. The officers first 
appointed to preside at its courts and over its judicial 
concerns were Gen. John Patterson, of Lisle, as first 
judge, and James Stoddard, of Lisle, Amos Patterson, of 
Union, and Daniel Hudson, of Chenango, as associate 
judges. In 1807, George Harpur, of Windsor, and 
Mason Wattles, of the same place, were added. 

At the expiration of three years, in May, 1809, James 
Stoddard, Amos Patterson, and Mason Wattles, were re- 
appointed ; and in June, Daniel Hudson was appointed 
first judge in place of Gen. Patterson ; and in Septem- 
ber, James Stoddard was appointed in place of Mr. 
Hudson, who, it is believed, vacated his office by mov- 
ing out of the county. In October, John Brown, of 
Berkshire, was added to the number of associate judges. 

Under the old constitution of the State there was no 
specific limitation to the number of ordinary or associate 
judges. They held their office for three years, and then 
were re-appointed or displaced ; but the first judge held 
his office during life or good behaviour ; unless, during 
office, he transcended the age of sixty years. 

In 1810, George Harpur was re-appointed; and in 
1811, in March, Stephen Mack, of Owego, was appoint- 
ed first judge in place of Judge Stoddard. In May, of 
the same year, Jacob McKinney, of this village, was ap- 
pointed associate judge; and in June, Amos Patterson 
and John Brown were re-appointed. 

In 1812, William Chamberlain was appointed, and 
Mason Wattles re-appointed ; and in June, Samuel Rex- 
ford and James Stoddard. 

In 1812, March, Tracy Robinson, of this village, Asa 
Beach, of Lisle, Chester Lusk, of Union, Joseph Waldo, 
of Berkshire, George Harpur — appointed the third time 
■ — Daniel LeRoy, of the village, and William Camp, of 
Owego. At this time Owego was a part of Broome 
countv. 



182 Annuls of Binghamton. 

In 1815, Briant Stoddard, of Union, was appointed 
to a seat on the bench ; also, Jonathan Lewis, of Lisle, 
Mason Wattles — appointed the third time — and David 
Williams ; and John R. Drake was appointed first judge 
in place of Judge Mack. 

In 1817, William Stuart, of Binghamton, and Anson 
Camp were appointed. 

In 1818, Jonathan Lewis re-appointed — William 
Stuart still on the bench — and Briant Stoddard re-ap- 
pointed. 

In 1821, Briant Stoddard re-appointed, Thomas Blaks- 
lee, David Williams, re-appointed, and Jonathan Lewis. 
In 1822, David Bartow. 

In 1823, the new constitution was adopted. In the 
same year, under the new constitution, Tracy Robinson, 
was appointed first judge; and with him were appoint- 
ed four associate judges, viz : Nathaniel Bosworth, Briant 
Stoddard, Thomas Blakslee, and David Bartow. 

Under the new constitution, the number of judges 
was limited to five, including the first judge; all of 
whom, without distinction, to hold their office for five 
years ; removable, however, on recommendation of the 
Governor and consent of the Senate, whenever the form- 
er assigned a sufficient cause. 

In 1827, at the termination of five years, the same 
judges were re-appointed, with the exception of Oliver 
Stiles, in place of Nathaniel Bosworth. 

In 1832, Thomas G. Waterman, in place of 0. Stiles. 

In 1833, William Seymour was appointed first judge, 
and Dr. Robinson, of Vestal, succeeded by Briant Stod- 
dard in 1834 ; George Wheeler, Grover Buel, and Judson 
Allen were appointed associate judges. 

In 1838, a new commission was issued, aud the same 
judges were re-appointed. They constitute the present 
bench of judges. 

The first cause tried under the authority of the county 
of Broome, was between Amrapheel Hotchkiss and 
Nathan Lane, jun., a civil suit. The first criminal 
cause was the people against Ebenezer Centre. 



Annals of Binghamton. 183 

At the organization of the county, Ashbel Wells was 
appointed Clerk, and moved to this village from Owego. 
He died about the expiration of his term. His suc- 
cessors have been William Woodruff, Jacob McKinney, 
William Woodruff again, Mason Wattles, of Owego, 
Ararai Doubleday in 1817, Latham A. Burrows, Daniel 
Evans, the first Clerk under the new constitution, and 
Barzillai Marvin, the present Clerk. 

Under the old constitution the Clerks were appointed, 
not chosen as at present, for a term of three years. 

William Woodruff was the first Sheriff of the county, 
and Jacob McKinney his successor. Their successors 
have been Chester Patterson, of Union, Thomas Whitney, 
of Triangle, Oliver Huntington, of Owego, William 
Chamberlain, of Binghamton, 1817, Joseph M. Patter- 
son, and Maj. Noah Shaw. Under the new constitu- 
tion, Benjamin B. Nichols, of Windsor, Jesse Hinds, of 
this village, James Stoddard, jun., of Lisle, Robert 0. 
Edwards, of Barker, and Robert Harpur, of Colesville, 
who is the present Sheriff.* 

The space occupied in the list of officers that have 
presided over the county, and have transacted the pub- 
lic and specific business of the county, is brief ; but still, 
during their official course, more than an age has passed 
away. Talents and moral honesty have been in requisi- 
tion for the proper discharge of their duties. They 
have adjusted the conflicting interest of parties. They 
have awarded to delinquents and transgressors the re- 
tributions of justice, and have kept the archives of the 
great commercial transactions of community. 

The first printer of the village was Chauncey Morgan, 
an elder brother of Augustus Morgan of this place. He 
commenced the operation of his press in about 1811, in 
an upper room of the present building of Mr. Rexford's 
druggist store. In the commencement he issued a news- 
paper — the first printed in the county of Broome — called 
" The Broome County Patriot." There had a paper cir- 

* Mr. Harpur died at Harpersville, 1872. He left quite a large 
family surviving: him. 



184 Annals of Binghamton. 

ciliated here, which was first printed in old Chenango, 
and afterward in Owego, called "The American Farm- 
er." While issuing from the former place, it was con- 
ducted by Daniel Crugar; and while from the latter, it 
was conducted by Stephen Mack, afterward Judge of 
the county. The paper and press passed through the 
hands of Reuben S. Close and Dr. Ely to those of Dr. 
Robinson, who, in 1815, enlarged the paper and issued 
it under a new name : that of the Phenix. 

Dr. Robinson continued the conducting of the paper 
and the operation of the press for three years, during 
two of which his son-iu-law, Maj. Morgan, was associat- 
ed with him as partner. 

In 1818, the Dr. sold his interest in the press and 
paper to Anson M. Howard. 

In this same year, Abraham Burrell started a paper 
called " The Republican Herald," espousing the side of 
politics opposed to those of the Phenix, which latter 
was Clintonian. In about 1820, Dorephus Abbey pur- 
chased Mr. Burrell's interest, and conducted the paper 
and press in his own name. Abbey, after some few 
years sold the paper and press to a few individuals of the 
place, who employed Burrell as the editor and printer; 
and the paper was conducted in his name. 

Mr. Abbey met with a tragical end ; the last spring, 
1839, he was hung in Kingston, U. C, for his participa- 
tion with the patriots in the Canada war. 

Mr. Howard, the partner with Major Morgan, after a 
few years failed, and the Phenix, in consequence, 
was no longer issued ; but in 1823, Major Morgan pur- 
chased a new press and issued a new paper called tk The 
Broome County Republican." It is the same in con- 
tinuance that bears that name now. After this paper 
got into circulation, it proved to be the more popular 
paper. The Herald gradually declined, and while in 
the hands of Mr. Burrell the last time, became extinct. 

In 182-1, Mr. Abiel C. Canoll came into partnership 
with Mr. Morgan, and this connection remained until 
1828, when Mr. Morgan sold his proprietorship to Mr. 



Annals of Binghamton. 185 

Thomas Collier^ who had lately taken up his residence 
in the village with his sons. 

Mr. Collier and Mr. Canoll continued their editorial 
relation until 1830, when the former sole! to Mr. Edwin 
T. Evans. This connection continued until 1835, when 
Mr- Evans sold his share in the business to Mr. B. T. 
Cooke. Messrs, Canoll and Cooke continued partners 
until last July, 1839, when Mr. Canoll dissolved his 
connection and interest, and sold to Mr. J. J. Davis, 
Under this new editorial relation the paper and press 
are at present conducted. 

In 1831, Mr. J. B. Orton established a press and is- 
sued a paper under the name cf " The Broome County 
Courier ;" in politics espousing the side of the National 
Adminstration. In 1837;, Mr. Orton sold his press and in- 
terest in the paper to Messrs, Sheldon and Marble, 
These last continued the proprietors until the spring of 
1838, when Mr* Marble sold his interest in the establish- 
ment to his partner Mr. Sheldon; and this latter gentle* 
man continued the proprietor but a short time. The 
great fire which occurred early in the summer of that 
year, consumed the press and its appurtenances, and Mr, 
Sheldon was obliged to relinquish his connection with 
jt. In the course of the summer Mr. E. P. Marble re^ 
turned from Sherburne, Chenango county, and brought 
with hini a press from that place. The Courier was re- 
sumed by Mr, Marble, and issued immediately, After a 
few months his brother, J. W. Marble, who had formed 
a partnership in the operation of the press from the time 
of its re-establishment, came into the place and joined 
in person. In the following spring, 1839, another change 
took plaGe. E- P. Marble relinquished his connection 
with the press, and sold his right to Mr. Thomas John-, 
sou. Jt is now in the hands of J. and C. Orton. 

The present proprietors of the Bridge at the village 
that lies across the Chenango river, called here the Red 
Bridge, are Gilbert Tompkins, the heirs of his deceased 
brother Isaac Tompkins, Lloyd S. Daubany, of West* 
pfrester county, an/el Qarrit Storm^ of the city of -New 



186 Annals of Binghamtm. 

York, This bridge was rebuilt in 1825, by Col. H, , 
Lewis as master builder, at an expense of rising $3000, 
and under the general direction of Joshua Whitney, 
The revenue arising from the bridge at present, and for 
some years back, though large, is not so great as in 
former years, when land carriage was the only mode of 
transporting commodities into the place. 

A former bridge existed upon the same abutments 
that the present does, with the exception of a wooden 
causeway at the east end, which extended until it met 
the ground of its own level. In place of this causeway 
there now exists the present embankment. This former 
bridge was built in 1808, by Marshal Lewis and Luther 
Thurstin, at an expense of rising $6000. Why there should 
have been so much difference in the expense of the two 
bridges, does not appear. To the enterprise, perseverance, 
and pecuniary resources of Lucas Elmendorf, of Kingston 
Ulster county, is to be ascribed the erection of this first 
bridge at so early a day. 

The present bridge, which is of the same length, 
breadth, and height, as the former, is 30 feet high, 25 
feet w r ide, and 600 feet long, 

The bridge at the village across the Susquehanna, 
called familiarly the White Bridge, was built in 1825 
and '6, by Col. H. Lewis, at an expense of $6,200. The 
act of the Legislature authorizing the building of this 
bridge was passed April, 1825, and the property of it 
vested in Christopher Eldridge and John A. Collier, 
their heirs and assigns. These gentleman divided the 
presumptive expense of the bridge into shares. These 
shares were purchased by the following persons \ Elihu 
Ely, Hazard Lewis, Gilbert Tompkins, Myron Merrill, 
Lewis St. John, Martin Hawley, and Julias Page, 
These, with Messrs. Eldridge and Collier, were, by an^ 
other act of the Legislature, constituted a body corpor* 
ate, under the name of " The Susquehanna Bridge Com, 
pany of the Village of Binghamton." Under the direc* 
tion and at the expense of this company the bridge was 
built, 



Annate of Binghamton. 187 

In the spring of 1837, while an uncommonly high 
freshet was prevailing, and rendered more powerful by a 
suddenly breaking away of accumulated ice, about one 
half of the bridge was carried away. 

This bridge is 700 feet long, 25 feet wide, and from 25 
to £8 feet high. 

The Chenango canal, which terminates at Bingham- 
ton and Utica, is ninety-five miles in length, forty-six 
feet wide, and lour and a half feet deep. It is laid in 
the valley of the Chenango river, on the eastern side, 
with the exception of about eighteen or twenty miles of 
the northern extremity, which follows the vale of the 
Sauqnoit creek. 

The number of locks on the whole route is 105 ; form- 
ing an elevation above the water, at the mouth of the 
river, of 303 feet. It was constructed in the years 1834, 
? 5 and ? G, at an expense of nearly two millions of dollars. 

The chief engineer who was employed in surveying 
the route, and in superintending the construction, was 
William Jarvis. Isaac W. Crane had charge under the 
general supervision of Mr. Jarvis, of the southern section, 
from Binghamton to the Forks. The act of the Legis- 
lature which authorized and assumed the construction 
of the canal was passed in 1833. Judge Lynde, of Che- 
nango county, presented the bill for its construction to 
the Senate, and was himself its most able abettor. Like 
many bills which prove in the experiment of great 
public utility, it had a tedious and strenuously opposed 
course in its passage through the two houses of the 
Legislature. 

There are two Banks in the county of Broome, located 
in this village. One, the Broome County Bank, which 
has been in operation since the year 1831 ; its capital is 
$100,000, with the permission to extend its issues to 
once and a half that amount. 

The first president of the bank was Myron Merrill ; 
and Cary Murdock, its present cashier, was also its first. 
Daniel S. Dickinson was its first, and still is, its attor- 
ney. Its operations are under the superintendence of 



3.88 Annals of Binghamton, 

thirteen directors. The safety of the bank rests upon 
the safety fund, and the correctness of its own transac- 
tions ; to which there has at no time been any excep- 
tions. Its resources have always been equal to its exi- 
gencies, even during the great pressure of 1837. 

The banking house was erected in 1832 ; is elegantly 
built of brick, fifty feet by forty, and the walls thirty- 
four feet high, standing on court hill, corner of Court 
and Chenango streets, and opposite the court house; 
having the advantage of the pleasant elevation of court 
hill. 

The other is the Binghamton Bank, which has only 
the present year, 1839, commenced its operations. It is 
constituted according to the late State provision made 
for voluntary bank associations. It has a capital of 
$100,000, with the privilege of extending it to the high 
amount of one million. 

The officers of this bank are, John LaGrange, of Ves- 
tal, president ; and Calvin L. Cole, cashier. The present 
directors are John LaGrange, Calvin L. Cole, I) wight 
Dan forth and Samuel Brown.* 

The first public stage that ran through this village 
was established by Teter & Huntington, in the year 
1816 or 1817, and ran from Owego to Newburgh. 
Teter drove, himself, a two-horse stage, and drove en- 
tirely through to Newburgh— a weekly line. He was of 
Wyoming, and commenced this line of business by run- 
ning a stage from Wyoming to Tioga Point. About one 
year after commencing the Owego and Newburgh line, 
Mr. Teter exchanged his first partner, Mr. Huntington, 
for Miller Horton, of Wilkesbarre. 

In about 1818 a company was formed, consisting of 
several proprietors, with Mr. Phelps, of Lucllowville, at 
their head, who obtained a mail contract and commenc- 
ed running a line of stages upon the same route of Teter 
and Horton, but made Ithaca their western termination 

* The u Binghamton Bank " closed and went into liquidation 
about the year 1842, and " The Bank of Binghamton," now called 
$foe " City National Bank of BiDghamton," succeeded it. 



Annals of Binghamton, 189 

instead of Owego ; and ran three times a week. In 1819 
Dr. Robinson and Maj. A. Morgan became proprietors 
in the company. 

In 1822, the same company, but with additional pro- 
prietors, established a daily line upon the route, and ex- 
tended the same to Geneva. 

The first post coach that ever ran through this place 
was purchased by Robinson and Morgan. It was the 
second vehicle of the kind on the route ; made after the 
same form of the present post coaches, with the excep- 
tion of one door to enter it, instead of two. 

In about 1818 or '19, a stage wagon, with two horses, 
commenced running from Oxford to this place once a 
week, by Mr. Willoughby, of Oxford ; it soon commenced 
running twice a week. In 1821, George Munsel took 
the proprietorship and ran the stage twice a week, driv- 
ing himself. In 1825, he put on a post coach and four 
horses, and has continued the principal if not sole pro- 
prietor of this part of the Utica line since. 

In the year 1828, a two horse stage commenced run- 
ning from Montrose to this place, under the proprietor- 
ship of John McPherson, a young man of the former 
place, and performing one trip a week. It is the same 
that now runs daily. Mr. Searle soon purchased Mc- 
Pherson's right, and is the present proprietor. 

The village of Binghamton was incorporated by an 
act of the Legislature on the third day of May, 1834. 
By this act the corporate limits of the village were fixed 
and the village itself divided into five wards. The first 
ward was to embrace all that part of the village which 
lies west of the Chenango river. The second ward to em- 
brace all that part lying eart of the Chenango river, 
south of the centre of Court-street, and west of 
the centre of Centre-street.* The third ward, all 
that part lying north of the center of Court-street 
east of the Chenango river, and west of the centre 
of Chenango street. The fourth ward, all that 

* Now called Collier Street. 



190 Annals of Binghamton. 

part lying east of the Chenango river, north of the 
centre of Court-street, and east of the centre of Chenan- 
go-street. The fifth ward, to embrace all the residue of 
the village lying south of the centre of Court-street, and 
east of Centre-street. 

On the first Tuesday in June, 1834, agreeably to a 
provision of the act, the inhabitants of the village met 
in their respective wards and chose the following per- 
sons as Trustees, viz: Samuel Peterson, as trustee of the 
first ward ; George Park, of the second ward ; Stephen 
Weed, of the third ward ; William Seymour of the fourth 
ward ; and William B. Doubleday, of the fifth ward. 
These five, with their successors, clothed with powers 
specified in the same act which provided for thfur crea- 
tion, were to form a perpetual Board of Trustees for the 
government of the village, in every thing pertaining to 
its public peace, its safety, its convenience, and its im- 
provement. 

On the fourth day of June, at the first meeting of this 
Board, the following persons were appointed its officers: 
Daniel S. Dickinson, President of the Board ; Erasmus 
D. Robinson, Clerk ; Joseph S. Bosworth, Attorney ; 
Julius Page, Treasurer ; and Joseph Bartlett, Police 
Constable and Collector. Five Fire Wardens were also 
appointed; Myron Merrill, of the first ward; George 
T. Ray, of the second ward ; Levi Dimmick, of the third 
w ard ; Cary Murdock, of the fourth ward ; and Isaac 
Leavenworth, of the fifth ward. 

At the same meeting, a committe was appointed to 
draft a code of by-laws for their internal regulation. 
The Board proceeded the same month it appears, to 
pass the resolution for forming two fire companies, to be 
called the hook and ladder companies. It should be re- 
corded again and again, for the honor of that great man, 
that Dr. Franklin was the author of fire companies. 

In June, 1836, a petition was presented, signed by 
ninety-one citizens, requesting the Board to raise the 
sum of six hundred dollars, for the purpose of purchas- 
ing a fire engine. A petition at the same time was pre- 



Annate of Binghamton. 191 

sented, signed by sixteen persons, praying to be formed 
into a fire company. The signers of this petition were 
William H. Pratt, Henry M. Collier, James Eldredge, 
George Congdon, James Smeacl, A. W. Martin, Peter 
Clew, Isaac Bartlett, Caleb Koberts, James Bigler, Wil- 
liam Bigler, John Scofield, Isaac Bishop, Thomas John- 
son, J. P. Sutton, and D. Horton. These young men 
formed the first fire company of the village, and deserve 
the greater honor for having offered themselves. 

The Board proceeded also with dexterity to level and 
otherwise improve the streets, to flag the sidewalks, and 
to remove nuisances. 

Upon the first of August, 1837, the following persons, 
upon addressing a petition to the Board to be formed in- 
to a second fire company, were accordingly organized : 
Chas L. Robinson, James H. Halstead, Evans M. John- 
son, John H. H. Park, Albert C. Morgan, Russel B. 
Tripp, Charles Rogers, Jacob Morris Jr., John McNeil, 
Thomas G. Halstead, Frederick A. Morgan, Charles 
Tupper, Charles Cole, William Castle, George Dyer, and 
William Abbott. These young men, being the most, if 
not all, of them, in their minority, were called " The 
Juvenile Fire Company." 

These two companies may be considered the corporate, 
though youthful, fathers of future companies, which will 
be found, in years to come, in the midnight hour, amid 
roaring flames and falling buildings, plying their engines 
to stay the destruction, and finally to quench the rage 
and madness of the fire. 

The county of Broome and its immediate neighbor- 
hood, contains but little to interest, particularly, the 
geologist ; so little that the gentlemen employed in 
the late geological and mineralogical survey that has 
been made of the State, in their report to the Legisla- 
ture, pass the county by, almost in silence. The princi- 
pal rock, says a geologist, well acquainted with this sec- 
tion of country, in the county is graywacke, which is 
found in all our hills, and forms the basis of the moun- 
tains. It is found, also in the beds of the largest streams. 



192 Annals of Bingliamton. 

This may be said indeed to be the the only stone found 
in the county. It is found lying in stratas, nearly in a 
horizontal position, with, however, a slight inclination 
to the west. This inclination exists even in the beds of 
the rivers. Near the surface, upon the mountains, it is 
found broken up into fragments ; which is the result 
either of frost or of ancient internal irruptions. 

But the pebbles found in and near the banks of the 
Susquehanna and Chenango rivers, however, exhibit an 
astonishing variety : garnet, tourmaline, quartz, agate, 
hornstone, porphyry, granite, jasper, feldspar, horn- 
blende, dark blue limestone, and conglomerates, of almost 
every character, are occasionally picked up and added 
to the cabin of the naturalist. Negatively speakipg 
we have no psum, no limestone, no iron or other min- 
eral. A br , spring exists in Lisle, on the lands of 
Chris. ophe E dredge. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



The present Presbyterian Church of Binghamton was 
originally Congregational in its form of government, and 
was organized in the year 1817. The organization took 
place in the early part of the ministration of Mr. Niles. 
This clerical gentlemen came from New Lebanon ; was 
unordamed until 1818, and labored until ordained as a 
stated supply. With about a year's interval, and pre- 
vious to Mr. Niles' ministry here, a Mr. May, an ordain- 
ed minister, was employed 'by the Presbyterian interest. 
Before this gentlemen, no Presbyterian minister statedly 
preached in the village. The only periodical preaching 
in the vicinity, previous to this, was from the Dutch 



Annals of Binghamion. 193 

Reformed Church, whose minister, Mr. Palmer, after 
about 1810, preached alternately in the court house in 
the village and at Union. But very little religious in- 
fluence was either exerted or felt in the place, except 
what might have been felt from a few solitary examples 
of piety, from the existence of the sacred volume in 
families, and from the conscience of men whose early 
education had- been christian, until Mr. May, or more 
properly, it should be stated, until Mr. Niles appeared in 
the village. He was a man whose life was irreproachable. 
His preaching, too, though characterized with only or- 
dinary talent, was such as leaves men not easy in a sin- 
ful course. 

Mr. Mies came in the spring of 1816, and after one 
year's labor, a revival and reformation of considerable 
extent was the result. This paved the way and furnish- 
ed members for the organization of the church. At 
this organization, the Rev. Ebenezer Kingsbury, of Hart- 
ford, Pa., and the Rev. Joseph Wood, of Windsor, were 
the officiating ministers ; and the church, in its first 
constitution, consisted of twenty members — three males, 
viz: Jessie Hinds, Sen, Jonathan Ogden, and John Mc- 
Kinney ; the rest were females. The most of these latter 
were ladies of families ; and their names — as they were 
original members, and as the position in which it placed 
them in their families was responsible, it may be proper 
to record. The persons were, Mrs. Whiting, Mrs. Pratt, 
Mrs. Morse, Mrs. Woodruff, the wife of Esq. Woodruff, a 
Mrs. Sedgwick, Mrs. Weed, Mrs. Whitmore, Mrs. Hinds, 
Mrs. Ely, the wife of Col. Ely, Mrs. Smith, Miss Hannah 
Whitney, now the wife of Deacon Stow, Mrs. Ogden, 
Mrs. Vandewater, and Mrs. Edwards. 

The officers of the church were two Deacons : Samuel 
Stow and John McKinney. Deacon Stow had moved 
into the place subsequent to the formation of the church. 
Mr. Niles was ordained and installed pastor of the 
church in 1818. In the same year the first Sabbath 
School of the place was instituted by the female mem- 
bers of this church. About this time also, the form of 
9 



194 Annals of Binghamton. 

the government of the church was changed from Con- 
gregational to Presbyterian ; which latter form it has 
retained ever since. Under the Presbyterian form, 
which requires ruling elders, those who first filled this 
office were Deacon Samuel Stow, Deacon West, now an 
officer in the church at Castle Creek, and John McKin- 
ney. The two latter sustained also the office of Deacons. 

There were additions made to this society almost at 
every eommumon season, both from emigrants who had 
heen members in churches whence they emigrated, and 
from persons becoming hopefully pious, of the place. 
The church, under the superintendence of their pastor, 
maintained for a series of years what they called a 
church meeting, designed exclusively for church mem- 
bers ; held as often as their communion season occurred, 
but half way between those seasons. These meetings, 
the older members say, were the most precious and val- 
uable to them of all others; undoubtedly because there 
was more confidential interchange of christian sentiment 
and feeling, and therefore more of that which in scrip- 
ture is denominated " communion of spirits.' 

In the year 1827, and towards the close of Mr. Niles' 
ministry, as well as that of his life, a very general reviv- 
al took place in the village, which, though chiefly in the 
Presbyterian society, extended to the other christian 
societies. 

In this year, the Hey. Peter Lockwood, afterward sole 
pastor of the congregation, was called as junior pastor, 
to assist Mr. Niles ; whose health was now declining. 

The death of Mr. "Niles, which had been looked upon 
as evidently fast approaching,, took place in July, 1828, 
and was met by him with calmness, in clear anticipation 
of entering upon " that rest which remains for the peo- 
ple of God/' 

Mr. Loekwood now became the sole pastor, and con- 
tinued his pastoral relation until April, 1833. During 
Mr. Lockwood's ministry there were very large accessions 
made to the church — scarcely a communion season pass- 
ing without some entering on the profession of their new 
and living faith, within its pale,. 



Annals of Binghamton. 195 

After the period of Mr. Lockwood's ministry, the 
church was without a settled and pastoral care until 
1836. In the interval, however, it had the ministerial 
labors for an indefinite time of the Eev. Lewis D. How- 
ell, and of the Rev. John Fowler, now of ITtica. 

In 1836, the Rev. John A. Nash was called to the pas- 
toral charge. His parochial relation, however, was oi 
comparatively short duration, only about two years. 
His talents as a sermonizer were much above mediocrity. 

In September, 1828, the Rev. David D. Gregory, form- 
erly pastor of the church in Westfield, of this state, be- 
came the pastor of this church. Mr. Gregory is a grad- 
uate of Williams College, Mass., and studied theology 
at Andover. Mr. Gregory's preaching is well calculated 
to build up christians, and also to invite sinners to the 
Saviour of mankind. 

The Presbyterian church edifice was finished and ded- 
icated in December, 1819, or the January following. 
Jonathan Ggden was the architect ; and his mother the 
first person buried in the ground opened near this edifice 
for the reception of the dead. 

The Episcopal Church of Binghamton was incorpora- 
ted in the year 1816. Samuel McNeil and Selah Squires 
were chosen the Church Wardens ; and Elias B. Miller, 
Lewis Squires, Mason Whiting, Tracy Robinson, John 
A. Collier, Thomas G. Waterman, John Stone, and Rti- 
fus Park, were chosen Vestrymen. 

The principal men, with their families, that composed 
the church, in its earliest existence, were Joshua Whit- 
ney, Selah Squires, Samuel McNeil, Thomas G. Water- 
man, Tracy Robinson, Rufus Park, William Chamber- 
lain, Elias Butler, Mason Whiting, John A. Collier, 
Lewis Squires, Gilbert Tompkins, John Stone, James 
Squires, Peter Crissy, Christopher Eldredge, and El- 
more Gilbert. 

The Rev. Mr. Keeler, at present rector of the church 
in Harpersville, was the first officiating clergyman. He 
was hired only for six months. Mr. Keeler, who had 
but lately ta&en Deacon's orders, was from the diocese 



296 Annals of Binghamton. 

of Connecticut, and was in company with Bishop Ho- 
bart at the time the Bishop constitned the church and 
consecrated their house of worship. This house was 
built originally for an academy ; but while in a state of 
finishing, it was purchased by the Episcopal society, and 
finished in a suitable style for divine worship. It was 
afterward sold to the Methodist society ; and their pres- 
ent edifice was built in 1821 and '2, at an expense, with 
its decorations, of about 13500, by H. T. McGeorge, the 
principal architect. 

In the burying ground attached to this church, the 
first person interred was a Mrs. Birdsall, the wife of a 
lawyer, and a sister of John A. Collier's first wife, and 
sister also to the present wife of Thomas Evans. 

The successor of Mr. Keeler was the Rev. Francis H. 
Gumming, a young man at the time, and lately in Dea- 
con's orders, from the diocese of New Jersey. Mr. dim- 
ming was passing through the place and accidentally 
became known to Dr. Robinson, as an Episcopal clergy- 
man, and without charge. He was immediately engag- 
ed to take charge of the congregation. He is represent- 
ed even at this early period of his ministerial life, to 
have possessed an easy, natural, and engaging eloquence. 
He remained the officiating clergyman until 1821, when 
the Rev. Mr. Gear, of Onondaga county, was invited to 
take the rectorship of the parish. Mr. Gear is spok- 
en of as a man of more than ordinary learning and tal- 
ents, and his biblical knowledge is represented as having 
been profound and extensive. 

In 1824, Mr. Gear's parochial charge in this place term- 
inated, and the Rev. Nathaniel Huse was called from 
Oneida county to succeed him. In 1827, and during 
the ministry of Mr. Huse, there was a greater addition 
made to those members who take upon them all the re- 
sponsibilities of Christians, and enter into full com- 
munion with the ehnreh, than at any other one period. 
These, in the judgment of charity, had experienced 
what is denominated a " change of heart/' and were a 
part of the fruits of a general revival in that year. 



Annals of Bingliamtoil. i'95 1 

In the year 1829, Mr. Cumming was recalled, and took 

the rectorship. Mr. Camming, at the time he was call- 
ed, was rector of the Episcopal church in Rochester* 
Eight or ten years having elapsed since he was here be- 
fore, Mr. Oumming's piety and christian experience had 
become deepened, and his preaching was now more 
practical and evangelical ; but his stay was only short ; 
between one and two years. 

In liSoO the beli was put into the church, weighing 
700 lbs. 

In the year 1831, the Vestry gave an invitation to the 
Rev. Hiram Adams, then settled over a church in 
Brownsville, Jefferson county, to become their pastor. 
This invitation was accepted, and he became their spirit- 
ual shepherd for four of five years. Mr. Adams is rep- 
resented also as a man of talent and learning. 

In 1835, Mr. Adams terminated his rectorship here, 
and in July, of the same year, the Vestry resolved to in- 
vite the Rev. Mr. Shinieall, of Canandaigua, to be their 
rector. His stay was short ; scant a year. He, in the 
time, painted the curtains of the church. He is distin- 
guished as the author of a very large and learned bibli 
cal chart. 

Mr. Shimeall's resignation took place in May, 1836 ; 
and the last of June, the Vestry resolved to invite the 
Rev. Edward Andrews to their rectorship. This invita- 
tion was accepted, and Mr. Andrews is now the present 
rector. Mr. Andrews, possessing talents which place 
him quite among the first class of preachers, has great 
popularity and acceptableness among his people ; and 
his discretion and affectionate manners endear him to all 
who have the happiness to be much in his society. 

There was no Methodist society formed in the village 
of Binghaniton or its vicinity until the year 1817, when 
a class, consisting of five persons, was organized. Mr. 
Joseph Manning, his wife and daughter, Mr. Peter 
Wentz, and his wife, were the five persons. Previous to 
the formation of this class, and that vvhich led to it, Mr. 
Manning, who was previously a member of the Metho- 



VM AnnaU of BingJiamfon. 

clist church, went to Union and solicted the service of a 
preacher by the name of Doolittle, a circuit preacher* 
Mr. Doolittle came and held his first meeting at Mi\ 
Manning's house, who lived then at the west end of the 
Chenango bridge, and on the south side of Main-street* 
At this meeting the class was formed, and Mr. Manning 
was appointed class leader. Preaching continued alter 
this statedly, on a week day, once in two weeks ; and 
the meetings were held, first at Mr. Manning's house for 
a length of time, then at the district school house in the 
village ; after which they were moved and held in the 
court house, until they worshipped in their pres- 
ent chapel. 

A Mr. Arnold succeeded Mr. Doolittle on the circuit 
and was the particular one, of the two on the circuit,, 
that preached in the village. There were, however, no 
additions made to the society for years, except those who 
joined by letters of recommendation. Even their minis- 
ters appeared to take but a partial interest in the Meth- 
odist cause here — most likely for want of more encour- 
aging prospects — until a Mr. Warner came in 1822, un- 
der whose ministry a revival of very considerable extent 
took place. So far as visible agencies were concerned 
in the production of this revival, it may be attributed to 
Mr. Warner's taking up his residence in the place ; 
his manner- of preaching, which was pungent and rous- 
ing, together with his mingling himself much with the 
people. As many as forty joined the society as fruits of 
this revival ; and it is remarked by the older members.* 
that the reformation was distinguished by a deep con- 
viction of inherent sin, which seemed to lay the founda- 
tion for more than ordinary humility on the part of the 
subjects. Very few relapsed back to a worldly state, 

A Mr. Lull was associated on the circuit with Mi\ 
Warner, and preached more or less in the village. In 
the begmuiag of Mr. W r arner/s ministration in the place, 
in 1822, the Methodist chapel was purchased of the 
Episcopalians, and moved from the site of the present 
Episcopal church to where it now stands. The ground 



Annals of Binghamton. 199 

of its location with the burying place was given gratu- 
itously to the society by the Bingham estate, through 
the agency of Gen. Whitney. 

In 1823, the Rev. Horace Agard and the Rev. John 
Sayre were upon the circuit, and the officiating minis- 
ters m the village. In 1824, Mr. Agard returned, and 
the Rev. Solon Stocking, who has been a resident of the 
village ever since, was his colleague. From this time 
there were yearly additions made to the society, both 
from beyond the pale of the visible church and from 
those who were received upon letters from other socie- 
ties. Mr. Stocking found the society composed of about 
fifty members when he came. 

A Mr. Judd succeeded Mr. Agard ; the Rev. Philo 
Barbary succeeded Mr. Judd ; and connected with Mr. 
Barbary was the Rev. Benjamin Sbipman ; Mr. Barbary's 
labors were in 1827 and '8. In '29, Mr. Shipman re- 
turned. In 1830, the Rev. Silas Comfort and the Rev. 
R. Cushman were appointed upon the circuit. In '31 
Mr. Comfort and the Rev. Nelson Rounds were colleagues. 
In 1832 and '3, the Rev. JDavid A. Sheparcl was appoint- 
ed. He had no associate, and his labors were confined 
to the village. In 1834 and '5, John S. Mitchell was the 
minister of the society, and his labors were also confin- 
ed to the village. In 1836, Hardford Colburn. In 1837, 
H. T. Rowe. In 1838 and '9, Robert Fox, an English- 
man. The present clergyman is Joseph Cross, who was 
also born in England. He joined the church when 
twelve years old. He preached his first sermon when 
only fifteen. 

In 1830, when the society had augmented to nearly 
one hundred members, it was found necessary to divide, 
and two or three classes were amicably formed from the 
original one. 

At present, in the village and its vicinity, there are 
about two hundred and fifty members in the society, ex- 
isting in seven classes. 

As has been before remarked, the first church formed 
in the settlement was that of the Baptist order ; but this 



200 Annals of Binghamton, 

became extinct about the year 1800. The present Bap- 
tist church was constituted in May, 1829, soon after a 
a very considerable revival of religion under the occa- 
sional labors of Elder Frederick, at that time pastor of 
the Baptist church at the Great Bend. To this revival, 
it might be considered, as owing its infant existence. It 
consisted at first of twenty-four members ; four of whom 
were males, and twenty females. John Congdon, Jr., 
and Reuben Starkweather were, at the constitution of 
the church, appointed Deacons ; which office, in that 
church, they still hold. Immediately upon the forma- 
tion of 'the church, twenty-eight were added by baptism, 
and several more by letter. 

Elder Frederick's labors having been crowned with so 
much success, was chosen and invited to take the pas- 
toral care of the young church. The invitation was ac- 
cepted, and he was installed as pastor, and removed to 
Binghamton. 

In the year 1831, and during the ministry of Elder 
Frederick, the present church edifice was erected ; and 
great credit is said to be due to him, for his untiring 
zeal and perseverance in obtaining funds, and other- 
wise promoting its erection. 

In the winter of 1833-4, there was a revival under the 
ministration of the Rev. Jason Corwin, then pastor of 
the church ; which resulted in the addition of about fif- 
ty members. 

In the fall of 1837, there was another very consider- 
able revival under the preaching of the Rev. Jacob 
Knapp, who spent about a month in Binghamton ; mak- 
ing one great and protracted effort to bring men into the 
kingdom of the visible church ; not appearing to heed 
with what particular denomination they should unite. 
During his stay, and immediately subsequent, there were 
added to this church about seventy members. This ac- 
cession, so far as a present judgment may be formed, 
may be said to have placed the Baptist church upon a 
permanent, and — so far as foreign aid is concerned — an 
independent basis. The present number of members is 
one hundred and seventy-nine. 



Annals of Binghamton, 201 

The more common place of immersion, in early times, 
was in the Chenango river, near Col. Lewis' mills. 

The pastors of the church have succeeded each other 
in the following order : Rev's. Michael Frederick, Jason 
Corwin, Henry Robertson, Davis Dimmick, William 
Storrs, and James M. Coley. The last of whom is the 
present pastor. 

The Congregational Church is a recent branch from 
the Presbyterian. It was organized in the year 183G, 
and composed at first of eighteen members ; who had so- 
licited and obtained letters of dismission from the parent 
church, for the specific purpose of forming a new one. 

To the minds of those who first thought of separating 
and forming a new church and congregation, it occurred 
that the present and anticipated growth of the village, 
together with the present and growing size of the Pres- 
byterian church, would justify the separation of a branch, 
without material prejudice to the former, and with suffi- 
ciently encouraging prospects to the latter. 

There were other considerations and feelings, how- 
ever, which more efficiently influenced these persons to 
desire to form a new infant body; and which may be 
considered the causes that led to the separation taking 
place at that time. 

The different tastes and temperaments in so large a 
body of people as the Presbytarian congregation, had 
begun now to arrange themselves under the two great, 
but diverse, opinions — relating more to measures than 
to doctrines — which agitated at this time the Presbyter- 
ian church generally. And as that congregation was 
brought now into immediate contact with the measures 
that were approved of by the one part, and disapproved 
of by the other, the respective parties found that their 
approval and disapproval arose to relish and disgust. 
This sundered, in a great measure, the tie of their union, 
and rendered fellowship in such close relations impracti- 
cable. 

This state of things induced a comparatively small 
minority — the number of about thirty — to desire a sep- 



202 Annals of Binghamton. 

aration from the parent church ; and they resolved to 
take measures, in a friendly and christian manner, to ac- 
complish it. 

After being* set apart by the ordinary formality, they 
were constituted a church by the Rev. John Starkweath- 
er, as officiating minister, who was immediately called to 
be their pastor. Articles of faitn and a church covenant 
were drawn up and subscribed by the members ; but not 
until they had been submitted to the parent church for 
their approval. 

Their house of worship was built the year succeeding, 

1837, by the joint skill and superintendence of Jonathan 
Ogden and John Lewis, and was dedicated the last of 
December of that year, On the morning of the day in 
which this house was dedicated, died William H. Pratt, a 
young gentleman of the village, whose views and feelings 
had been coincident with those of the infant church ; 
and with which he had worshiped from the time of its 
separation. The interest he appeared to feel, and the 
zeal he actually took, in relation to this young society 
was remarkable, as he had not, until a short time before 
his death, made profession of piety. His death was hon- 
ored by its coincidence with the dedication of a house of 
divine worship his zeal had helped to build. 

Mr. Starkweather remained the pastor but a very short 
time after the dedication of the house. After him the 
Rev. Arthur Burtis was a stated supply from November, 

1838, to July, 1839. The Rev. Samuel AY. Bush, is the 
present pastor. 

There is in the village a Catholic Cathedral, built 
very recently — finished m 1837 — but with no settled or 
stated ministry over it. Occasionally divine service is 
held there; and uniformly on the Sabbath a few con- 
scientious Catholics repair to it, to perform the duty of 
mass. 

There was organized in the village, in January, 1838, 
a Universalist society also, consisting of about fifty 
members, many of whom, however, do not reside in the 
village. The officiating minister of the society is Charles 



Annals of Bingliamton. 203 

S. Brown, of Lisle. They have, as yet, no edifice, and 
hold their meetings in the court house. 

The present state of the village, with its business and 
resources, is the result of fifty years of ingress of inhab- 
itants, both of the country and village, and their improve- 
ments. In the conclusion of these Annals, therefore, it 
will not be inappropriate to give the present aggregate 
of business, in most of its leading branches. This will 
be briefly done, in what may be termed round numbers, 
without pretending to minute accuracy. 

The amount of lumber transported to market annual- 
ly is about four millions of feet ; about one million of 
this is sawed and sent principally to the southern mark- 
ets by Christopher Eldredge. One million, by Gen. 
Waterman to the eastern markets. One million, by Ool. 
Lewis, mostly to the southern markets. The fourth 
million, by John D. Smith and Lewis Seymour. 

The annual amount of sales for the last year or two in 
the village, of those in the grocery line exclusively, is 
$18,000; of those in the victualling line, $18,500"; of 
merchants in the dry goods and groceries together, ris- 
ing $200,000. The sales of those in the drug business, 
who, however, unite other articles of merchandise, are 
$40,000 ; of iron and tin ware, embracing the manufac- 
tory of the same, $12,000 ; of hardware, exclusively, $12- 
000 ; the sales and manufactory of millinery and man- 
tua-making, $8,000 ; of the sales and manufactory of 
leather and shoes, $18,500 ; the amount of carriage 
making, $6,000 ; of blacksmithing, rising $4,000 ; of 
watches and jewelry, $4,000 ; of tailoring, $7,500 ; of 
saddlery and harnessmaking, $8,000. The amount of the 
sales and manufactory of hats and caps, $5,000 ; of plows 
manufactured, $3,500 ; cutting and sale of marble stone, 
$3,000 ; of the manufactory and sale of rifles and guns, 
$5,000 ; sales from the butchers' stall, 8 or $10,000. In 
the summer time, between 3 and 400 bottles of beer made 
per week ; 10,000 lbs. of candles manufactured per year; 
between 15 and 20 tons of candy manufactured. The 
present annual proceeds of the four taverns of the vil- 
lage are about $20,000. 



APPENDIX 



PREFACE TO APPENDIX. 



The foregoing pages embrace all of the " Annals of Bingham- 
ton," as complied by Mr. Wilkinson and published in 1840. The 
events and incidents given in the Annals, though not great of 
themselves, still possess a peculiar local interest, which will be 
enhanced by the advance of time. As the country grows older the 
interest in early events always incrtases with the people. All 
persons are curious to know who first settled their neighborhood, 
and what events occurred in the early times of the settlement. 

Mr. Wilkinson, at a most favorable period, and after much 
time, care and labor, gathered the facts which he has woven into 
the " Annals of Binghamton." The edition of the book was not 
large, there being only a local demand for it ; and copies of it be- 
gan to be rare and difficult of access. It was thought best, there- 
fore, to republish the work, that all of our people who desired 
could possess themselves of the record of the early times of Bing- 
hamton and vicinity. It was deemed especially important to re- 
publish the book while there remained some of the older citizens 
to point out land-marks referred to in the Annals ; for these 
land-marks, though well-known in 1840, had become almost un- 
known through the changes incident to the growth of Bingham- 
ton. The notes added at the bottom of the pages give an ex- 
planation of sites and places referred to, where the text would 
otherwise be obscure. 

While thus reprinting the Annals it seemed best, by a supple- 
ment or appendix, to bring the record down to the present time. 
Many events that can be now learned from eye witnesses, or per- 



208 Preface to Appendix. 

sons who participated in them, would soon become lost to the 
knowledge of the people unless gleaned or recorded. It also 
seems best that a history of our vicinity should be continued, 
since it is now so easy to compile and add to the Annals. Such a 
history it is a pleasure to read, and is often of real value. 

In this appendix a brief record of important public events, of a 
local character, is attempted. This record by no means embraces 
minute events, like the Annals ; for the population becoming 
larger, individual histories cannot well be traced, and transactions 
are only deemed important that concern a large number of 
persons. 



As an inland town, Biii^hamton had comparatively 
excellent commercial facilities in 1840, the time at which 
our supplement begins. The Chenango Canal furnished 
the means of transport for heavy and bulky articles, com- 
municating with the East and the West by means of the 
Erie Canal ; and the place had already become the cen- 
tre of an extensive trade. The advertising columns of the 
local papers of that day, bear witness to this fact, and 
also show that a respectable number of firms were then 
engaged in trade, and carrying full, stocks of goods of all 
kinds, so as to furnish the customer with almost every 
thing he might call for, from dry-goods to drugs and 
ibaedicines. 

For many years the country drained by the Susque- 
hanna and Chenango, and in fact, all southern NTew 
York, had been a lumber region; and a lumbering com- 
munity is proverbially thriftless and improvident. The 
large dealers absorb all the profits really earned by the 
humble laborer, who, looking upon the supply of timber 
as inexhaustible, spends all as he earns, and quite as fast. 
Thus for a long time, lumber had been regarded as al- 
most the only thing that would yield a return in cash ; 
the river furnished an easy transit to market, and a raft 
of pine promised almost immediate results. The early 
settlers were therefore chiefly engaged in lumber, and 
paid so little attention to the raising of their own 
bread that they often went abroad even for garden vege- 
tables. All business was thus based upon the lumber 
product ; and accounts at stores were arranged with ref- 
erence to the season for rafting. The time for high-wa- 



210 Appendix. 

ter which now seldom lasts over a week, in those days 
often endured two weeks or more ; the country being so 
densely covered with forest that the accumulated snows 
of winter melted away very slowly. At such times, as 
raft after raft went sweeping by, the rivers presented a 
scene of life and activity which the older inhabitants 
love to recount even at the present time ; and a taste for 
this exciting kind of voyage yet lingers in the country, 
kept alive no doubt by the stories of adventure and ex- 
citement incident to that kind of navigation, which so 
often furnish topics for conversation among old raftsmen ; 
and so at the present day an occasional raft may be seen, 
at the proper season, gliding smoothly and swiftly by 
our city, or tied up at the river-bank awaiting a favor- 
able opportunity to move. 

Binghamton as a trading centre, and as an objective 
point for travelers through this region, has generally 
been well supplied with places of entertainment "for 
man and beast." The old Chenango House known far 
and wide, and which for many years occupied the site of 
the Congregational Church, finally succumbed to the 
flames in 1859. The Phoenix Hotel, formerly known 
as The Broome County Hotel, burned in 1838, 
was rebuilt, and about 1842 its name was changed to 
Exchange Hotel, which it still retains. At the present 
writing it has assumed a Mansard roof, giving it an addi- 
tional story, and having been refitted throughout takes 
a new lease of life. The Binghamton Hotel formerly 
stood on the s. E. corner of Court and Water Streets, on 
ground now occupied by the American or Cafferty 
House. A temporary Hotel stood on the east 
bank of the canal aud north side of Court Street, where 
the Crockery Store of Messrs. Benson & Gillispie now 
stands. Way's Hotel still does duty on Court Street op- 
posite the Centenary Methodist Church, and probably 
ere long will give place to a brick edifice with all the im- 
provements for keeping a hotel. The old Franklin House 
built and named when South Washington Street was 
known as Franklin Street, was burned in the Autumn 



Appendix, Ml 

of 1867, and was afterward replaced by the present build- 
ing of brick. There is another house, No. 73 Water 
Street, now called the Chenango House, formerly the 
Cafferty House, and perhaps it has had other names,, 
which still retains the appearance of the tavern of the 
olden time ; it was probably bnilt before the Franklin 
House, and in the winter of ? ?1 and '72 it was much 
damaged by fire. 

In the immediate vicinity of the last mentioned Hotel 
the business portion of Binghamton first began to de- 
velope, and for a long time that part of Court Street 
near the river, and Water Street south of Court, includ- 
ed all the important places of business ; and these were 
at first the only streets opened. 

When the street now called Washington Street was 
first opened, it was regarded as a mere lane or back-street ; 
no one supposed it would become a street of any import- 
ance, and hence as a thoroughfare it is rather narrow 
for the amount of business done upon it. Water and 
Washington Streets were naturally level and symmetri- 
cal ; but for some distance East of Washington Street, 
comprising the original site of the central parts of the 
city, the land was very uneven, and this inequality had 
probably some effect in determining the final arrange- 
ment of the streets. See Annals, Chapter I., Original 
surveys. 

In front of the Court House and at the intersection 
of Chenango and Exchange Streets with Court Street, 
there was a hill long known as Court-House Hill, from 
the top of which, some twenty-five feet above the present 
grade of the street, the boys in olden time used to coast 
down Court Street to the Chenango river. The hill has 
now been so cut away, that the name has gone over to 
the neatly rounded knoll, on which the Court-House 
now stands ; and to ride down Court-House Hill a boy 
now slides down the gentle declivity in rear of the Court- 
House towards Hawley Street, which by successive fill- 
ings, has been raised from 8 to 10 feet along the foot of 
said declivity. Thus decapitated at the top, and buried 



$12 Appendix. 

at the foot, Court-House Hill is likely to be kuowu as 
Court-House Square in our local vocabulary. Known 
also to the older inhabitants, were quite a' number of 
hillocks and ridges, 

" Ere the pruning knife of time cut them down," 
which have gone to till up hollows and make rough 
places plain, until some of the localities can no longer be 
recognized by recalling the old topography, but resort 
must be had to an estimate of distances from some well- 
known point 

CAUSES INFLUENCING GROWTH. 

So long as lumber constituted the principal object of 
pursuit, the village continued to absorb all the profits of 
that traffic, and as a consequence its growth was slow ; 
there was little inducement for others to settle than 
those who could draw their support more or less direct- 
ly from the products of the lumber trade ; but when the 
pine began to fail, and the long neglected soil began to 
be cultivated, real and substantial improvement com- 
menced. In 1840 although lumber was yet an import- 
ant article of trade, agriculture had become a regular 
pursuit ; and two years later, Oct. 1843, The Broome 
County Agricultural Society held at Binghamton its 
first Annual Fair and Cattle-Show. The Pair-ground 
was on land now occupied by Jay Street and vicinity, in 
a field owned by Col. Oliver Ely. The field was entered 
through a " pair of bars," on Court Street, and the pine 
tree which lately stood in the centre of Jay Street was 
a conspicuous object at that time. 

The organizing of this society is interesting as a gen- 
eral and public recognition of the importance of a thrif- 
ty and enriching agricultural to the prosperity of any 
community. The hard logic of facts had proved to al- 
most every one that nothing but patient, productive in- 
dustry can permanently enrich. The money derived 
from lumber seemed to evanish, and they had been pow- 
erless to hinder it ; but as soon as the town began to 
feel the impulse of a healthy agriculture, the vocation of 



Appendix. 213 

the artisan and mechanic found place ; and a steady, 
healthful growth commenced, and has continued with 
little interruption to the present time. 

THE LOG CABIN", 

a feature of the presidential campaign of 1840, stood on 
north side of Court street near where the Drug store of 
Gillespy & Emmons now stands. The residence of Dr. 
Elihu Ely was standing at that time a little back from 
the street on the ground occupied by the stores of 0. W. 
Sears and 0. B. Perry & Co., and the corner now occupied 
by the City National Bank, and in part by the old Brick 
Store, which for many years had been a land-mark for 
that vicinity. The house of Dr. Ely was moved off when 
Court Street became ineligible for residences, and now 
stands on Washington Street. It is owned and occupied 
by his son Mr. Richard Ely. Dr. Ely establish a furn- 
ace and foundry for the manufacture of plows, mill gear- 
ing, and castings for machinery; it was located in 
" Millville," on the site of the Comb-Factory building. 
In 1842, the establishment was removed and located on 
ground East of the canal and in rear of the crockery 
store of Messrs. Benson & Gillespie and adjacent build- 
ings. It was owned and run by Mr. Henry Mather, and 
subsequently by Messrs. Thayer & Overhiser. 

THE BINGHAMTONT ACADEMY 

was opened on Wednesday June 1st, 18&2, under the 
care of J. A. Wilson, A. M., as Principal. The Female 
Department was under the charge of Mrs. Wilson. Mr. 
Wilson was a gentleman of culture and experience, and 
had previously been at the Auburn Female Seminary as 
Principal. 

The Board of Trustees was composed of the follow- 
ing named gentlemen : Rev. E. Andrews, Rev. D. D. 
Gregory, Rev. S. W. Bush, Rev. T. A. Stanton, Rev. Rob- 
ert Baird, Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, Myron Merrill, 
John Clapp, Elias Hawley, S. H. P. Hall, Oliver Ely, 
Christopher Eldredge, Barzillai Marvin, 



214 Appendix. 

The Academy building was a substantial brick edifice 
of three stories, besides a basement fitted up for the resi- 
dence of the Principal. It stood on ground now occu- 
pied by the new County Clerk's office, and was taken 
down in 1867. The Academy was accepted and tak- 
en under charge of the Regents of the University of the 
State of New York, Augusts, 1842, and, since that time, 
has participated in the funds which are annually distri- 
buted by authority of the Regents. In 1861, on the or- 
ganiziation of the " Binghamton Free Schools," the Acad- 
emy passed under control of the Board of Education and 
became the " Binghamton Central High-School ; " but 
in the Regents' Reports it is still designated as the 
" Binghamton Academy." 

An exact representation of the Academy may be found 
in the " Iris," Vol. L ~No. 2, a semi-monthly journal of 
which we shall speak hereafter. 

OTHER SCHOOLS, 

Besides the Academy there were two excellent schools 
for young ladies ; the Binghamton Boarding School con- 
ducted by the the Misses White ; and a Female Semi- 
nary by the Misses Hills. Also, a School for Bovs un- 
der the care and proprietorship of Mr. Geo. Bartlett, A. 
B. These in addition to the regular district schools 
furnished all the facilities for education that the village 
and vicinity then seemed to need. 

A CONVENTION IN BEHALF OF COMMON" SCHOOLS. 

We notice in the Broome Republican for Oct. 12, 
1842, the proceedings of a Convention called by the 
Deputy Sup't. of Schools, Mr. Frazier, in the interest of 
the Common Schools in the County. Of this Conven- 
tion Gen. John Bayless was President, and B. Marvin, 
Vice-President The proceedings were interesting and 
important to educational interests. We select from an 
excellent set of resolutions reported by a committee of 
gentlemen from the towns represented in the convention, 
the following : 



Appendix. 215 

Resolved, That in view of the unparalleled morality 
and high dignity of the Scriptures, in the opinion of 
this convention, they ought to be daily read, without 
comment, by teachers and scholars in every common 
school. 

Resolved, That uniformity of Text Books, in all the 
schools of the county, is in the highest degree desirable, 
and that their constant change subjects parents to oner- 
ous and unnecessary expense, and is the fruitful source 
of the want of system that is so plainly manifest in the 
schools of our county. 

By resolution the following books were recommended 
for use in the scln ols of the county, viz ; Gallandet & 
Hooker's Spelling Book ; Merriam's Series of Reading 
Books ; Mitchell's Geographys ; Davies* Arithmetics ; 
and Brown's Grammars. Sup't. Frazier and Mr. Mar- 
vin were appointed a committee to see that proper books 
could be procured at reasonable prices sufficient to sup- 
ply all the schools of the county: And finally the con- 
vention 

Resolved, That the several school districts of this 
county be requested to call special meetings, to carry 
into effect the recommendations of this convention. 

Thus early this county began to look after its public 
schools, in respect to which, it is no exaggeration to say, 
it has taken the lead of neighboring counties. 

In June 1842., Mr. 0. P. Cook commenced the publi- 
cation of 

"THE IRIS." 

a semi-monthly journal devoted to miscellany, moral 
and sentimental tales, history, arts, biography, anecdotes, 
poetry, and general literature." It was at first printed 
in quarto, and in typography it was a remarkably neat 
and elegant specimen of printing, The contributors 
generally appended their initials to their articles. We 
give a few, with names in full of some persons who fre- 
quently contributed to it in poetry. Copies of " The 



216 Appendix. 

Iris " are sometimes met with at this time and well re- 
pay perusal. 

" D. D. " Dian Dodge, of Pompey, Onondaga Co., N". 
Y. "J. H. 0." James Hamilton Collier, Esq. "E. D. 
W." Emeline DeWitt. "C. A. W." Catherine A. White, 
of the Binghamton Boarding School. "Q." James H. 
Collier. " M." Mayhew McDonald. " C. P. P." C. F. 
Park. « J. B." J. Boughton. 

There were several other contributors from Central 
New York whose names appear in full under the titles 
of their articles. " The Iris," was a favorite with the 
public, and some of its pieces circulated widely, being 
copied from paper to paper, with many complimentary 
notices. 

In the Broome Re-publican, for Dec. 7, 1842, we find 
the following obituary which will be interesting to 
many : 

" At his residence in this town, on the first day of 
December inst., Capt. Joseph Leonard, in the 91st year 
of his age. 

The deceased was a native of Plymouth, in Massachu- 
setts, and in his youth, was engaged for a time in the 
whale fishery. He subsequently removed to the Wyom- 
ing Valley, where he resided at the time of the great 
massacre. Being however, fortunately stationed in the 
military service at one of the outposts, he was one of the 
few citizens who escaped after the engagement. He re- 
moved with his family into this vicinity, in the year 
1787, and resided here up to the time of his death." 

A CHAPTER OF ERIE. 

An act to incorporate the New York and Erie Rail- 
road was passed^by the Legislature, April 24, 1832. In 
the list of corporators we find the following names of 
persons from this vicinity : Joshua Whitney, Christo- 
pher E- dredge, James McKinney, of Binghamton ; 
James Pumpelly, Charles Pumpelly, John R. Drake, 
Jonathan Piatt, Luther Gere, of Owego. 

The Legislature seems to have regarded the locomo- 



Appendix. 21 £ 

;ive as only a possibility, and was careful to empower 
;he company : " To transport, take and carry property 
md persons upon the same, by the power and force of 
steam, of animals, or of any mechanical or other power, 
n of any combination of them, for the term of fifty 
pars from the passage of this act. See Chap. 224, Laws 
)£New York passed at the Fifty-fifth session. 

Section 6. Requires one line or track to be completed 
rom the city of New Ym% or from some point on the 
western shore of the Hudson river to Lake Erie, and to 
jonvey passengers or materials thereon, before they shall 
ay down the rails of any part or portion of the second 
ine or track. 

Section 12, The said corporation shall not, at any 
>oint, connect the said single, double or treble railroad 
r ways, with any railroad, cither of the state of Pen a- 
ylvania or New Jersey, or leading into either of the said 
tates. without the consent of the. legislature of this 
tate, on pain of forfeiting the powers and privileges 
onferred by this act to 

Section 20, If the legislature of this state shall at the 
xpiratmn of ten and within fifteen years from the com- 
letion of said railroad, make provision by law for the re- 
ayment to the said company of the amount expended by 
;iem in the construction of said railroad, together with 
ill moneys expended by them for permanent fixtures for 
:ieuse of said railroad, with interest on such sums at the 
ite of fourteen per cent, per annum, together with all 
mneys expended by said company for repairs or ether- 
ise, for the purposes of said road, after deducting the 
mount of tolls received on said road, then the said rail- 
oad, with all fixtures and appurtenances, shall vest in 
id become the property of the people of this state. 

Section 21. The Legislature may at any time hereaf- 
a- alter, modify, or repeal this act. 

The road was at first estimated to cost six millions of 
hilars; but subsequently a plan was adopted which 
ould secure greater durability and usefulness to the 
10 



tJlg Appendix. 

Toad, and which with other contingencies, would raise; 
the expense to above nine millions : and according] h ■ 
capital stock was put at ten millions of dollars, divided! 
into shares of one hundred dollars each. 

This great enterprise was started at a time when the 
feasibility, and even the general usefulness of such uiic 
of communication, were held in question—the s nee 
of civil engineering was comparatively io its infa icy- 
corporations strong enough in men and means to ac 
complish so gigantic an undertaking were then a . s 
unknown in this country — capital proverbially chary o:> 
sin enterprise involving any possible chance or risk, 
slow to invest in the work : and for several years thii 
important improvement was allowed to Ian 
guish. At length in 1836, four years after the act o 
incorporation, the Legislature passed an act to loan tin 
public credit to the improvement for three millions o 
dollars, but so hampered with conditions as to render 
the act, impracticable, and all work was suspended dun 
ing another four years, in which poor Erie was subjecte 
to a full share of the distrust, opposition, and continue 
!y which usually fall to the lot of all great ameliorate i 
enterprises, no less than to those which are hollow, pre 
tentions, and undeserving. Kegarded at first as a rivq 
of, the Erie canal and of the central roads, proposing t 
lay a track directly across the water-courses and divkU 
of a region thinly "inhabited, and which as many belie 1 
ed presented insuperable obstacles to engineering skill- 
it region which needing developement contrasted in 
favorably with parts of the state already reached 1: 
state enterprises— this splendid work was contemned 1 
the Legislature, and forced to rely upon private capitf 
alone, and was then denounced for the failure of that n 
liance.* But, finally in 1840, the importance and n 

* The animus of much of this denunciation and opposition i 
doubtedlv originated in political trickery and intrigue; and \ 
questionably much of it was dictated or instigated by the Sla'i 
ocracy at Washington, which even then had resolved on sec< 
sion;*and was constantly plotting to repress every measure whi 



Appendix. 2 1 .) 

eessity of the improvement had become so obvious to 
public opinion, and were so persistently urged before the 
Legislature, that the objectionable features of the act of 
1836 were modified : and work was again commenced 
and prosecuted with vigor. 

In May, 1841, Mr. Eleazer Lord retired from the Pres- 
idency, and was succeeded by Mr. James Bowen. In 
that year, the first section of the road from Piermont to 
Groshen, 46 miles, was opened for traffic, and the amount 
}f business done upon this short distance exceeded the 
expectations of its most enthusiastic advocates. In 1845 
Surveys were begun for the improvement of the line, and 
for the settlement of the vexed question whether the 
'oad should pass through Svllivan county, or along the 
r alley of the Delaware. A year and a half were eonsum- 
'd in these preliminary operations. The questions of 
•oiite were at last finally adjusted ; the line of the Dela- 
vare river was adopted, permission was obtained to run 
icross a corner of Pennsylvania on the payment of $10,- 
)00 annually; the work of construction was actively re- 
timed ; arid on the 3d of November, 1847, the 
oad was extended from Middletown, 53 miles from 
N"ew York, to Otisville, 8 miles ; on the 6th of January, 
1848, from Otisville to Port Jervis, 13 miles ; (n the 
38th of December, of the same year, from Port Jervis to 
Singhamton, 127 miles ; on June 1st, 1849, from Bing- 
lamton to Owego, 22 miles ; in October of the same 
7ear, from Owego to Elmira 36 miles; on the 1st of 
fanuary, 1850, from Elmira to Corning, 37 miles ; on 
he 3d of September of the same year, from Corning to 
Jornellsville, 41 miles ; and on the 22d of April, 1851,, 
'O Dunkirk, 469 miles from Piermont. 

The construction and completion of this great thor- 
n gh fa re imparted to real estate, and more or le s to 
ther property in Binghamton, an inflated and specula- 
ended to the improvement and developement of the Northern 
States : as, witness the continued meddling and tinkering with 
he Taxiff, to render all investments in Northern industries as 
incertaic and unstable as possible. 



220 Appendix. 

tive value, of which the natural result was a reaction i 
that was productive of more harm than the impulse hadl 
been of good. False ideas and extravagant notions ini 
regard to the value of land, are among the first mani- 
festations that a town has received an impulse from at 
great improvement, and in one instance certainly were? 
disastrous in their effects upon the growth and prosperity; 
of the village; for it is well known that under a more 
liberal and enlightened poliey, Susquehanna, with its* 
shops, and skillful, intelligent workmen, mi^ht, audi 
ought to have become a part of Binghamton.* The 
opening of the New York and Erie Railway so greatly, 
enlarged the commercial facilities of the place that the 
natural advantages of its situation began to be more and! 
more apparent. Projects for the building of other roads 
soon began to be entertained; and as early as 1848 a 
meeting was held in Cortland County for the purpose of 
discussing the feasibility of building a railroad fromi 
Syracuse to Bingham ton. From the south soon came 
the Lackawanna Railroad to furnish an outlet for the 
Wyoming valley and the rich coal fields of Northern. 
Pennsylvania. Thus, with the opening of the Erie road, 
the construction of others along the valleys which radi- 
ate from the confluence of the Chenango and Susque- 
hanna rivers became only questions of time. 

The inflation consequent on the approach of a railroad! 
toward a new locality, that is, to one not previously^ 
reached by such improvement, is generally indicated byy 
the erection of a quantity of cheap, unsubstantial build- 
ings. A large shell of a hotel goes up near the site of! 
the antieipaFed depot ; then a number of thin, chilly- 

*"Erie" has sever forgiven this illiberal policy on the part off 
a few private holders of property, but has seemed to retain a* 
chronic " feeling of unpleasantness" toward the whole town inn 
consequence ,- and although there is no way-station in the Statet 
from which it receives greater accessions of freight and passen-i 
gers, its accommodations here have become the standing joke of I 
the traveling public: One has only to say " Binghamton Depot" 
to evoke an audible smile anywhere between New York and San 
Francisco., July, 1872. 



Appendix. t>\ 

looking dwellings, which are destined in a few years to 
be torn down, or be converted into barns and wood- 
sheds. Whatever of this kind occurred in Binghamton 
has not left many of its traces ; the place had in fact he- 
come too much of a village, before the advent of Erie, to 
be very greatly affected in this manner. But ere long 
buildings began to be erected after the plans of profes- 
sional architects. The first were Christ Church on 
Washington street, and the building of the City National 
Bank, on the corner of Washington and Court streets. 
Since the latter building was put up there has been a 
marked improvement in the stores and other places of 
business which have been built on the principal streets; 
the dry -goods box has ceased to be a model of architec- 
ture, and we now have many store fronts that would b3 
a credit to any city. 

Next in time came the Broome County Court House, 
which was erected in 1857, by J.Stuart Wells, Esq., at a 
cost of $32,000. It is the third building for such pur- 
poses that has been erected here. The building is 
massive and substantial in appearance, and conveys at 
once the impression that it was meant to last. It stands 
on a beautiful knoll and esplanade, carved out of an 
unsightly hill that formerly occupied the centre of the 
town, and being just sufficiently elevated above the sur- 
rounding streets, it promptly invites attention and will 
bear scrutiny. It has a front of 96 feet, ornamented by 
a Grecian portico of four Ionic pillars, 6 feet in diame- 
ter and 36 feet high; the width of the building is 58 
feet The underpinning, steps and pavement of the 
portico are of Onondaga limestone, and the superstruc- 
ture of brick, painted and sanded. The rooms are ample 
;and convenient; they have high ceilings and are well 
lighted and ventilated. On the first floor are the Su- 
preme Court Library, rooms of the Surrogate and the 
'County Judge, Supervisors' Room, Sheriff's Office, and 
.the office of County Commissioners of Schools and Su- 
iperintendents of the Poor. The Court Room is on the, 
second floor, and for convenience of arrangement and 



2'Z'Z Appendix. 

excellence of appointments can hardly be excelled. The 
ornamentation is all in the severest taste, and the whole 
appearance of the room is appropriate to a place where 
the majesty of the law is asserted and vindicated. The 
roof is crowned by a lofty dome, surmounted by a small 
cupola, which is provided with an iron-railed platform; 
the whole is reached by an inner stairway, and com- 
mands an extensive view of the city and its surround- 
ings. The cupola sustains a noble figure of Justice, 
holding in her hands the symbolic scales with which she 
weighs out impartial judgment to every one who seeks 
her mediation or nrotection. 

The Jail was built the next year after the Court 
House, at a cost of $15,000. The building includes the 
Jail proper and a fine private residence for the Sheriff,, 
or keeper of the prison. The criminals' cells are con- 
structed wholly of stone and iron, walls, floors and ceil- 
ings being all of the same unyielding materials. The 
lower cells of the south alley were occupied, after hisj 
final sentence, by the notorious criminal, Edward EL. 
Kulloff, Capiio-^ Linguist, Humorist, Burglar, and Mur- 
derer. Here, in pursuit of his philological phantom, he' 
studied, theorized, dreamed and wrote, and continued to* 
write until three o'clock in the afternoon of the day, 
before his execution. He then dispatched the precious.: 
manuscript by express, pre-paid, sending also the Com- 
pany's receipt by mail, to Professor Tayler Lewis afe( 
Schenectady, in full confidence that it contained thati 
which would entitle him to a niche in the temple off 
Fame, and to the lasting gratitude of all students ofl 
comparative philology. Such a career, had it beem 
consummated in the time of the elder Hazlitt, might! 
have furnished an additional chapter to his grim essay) 
•• On Murder Considered as one of the Fine Arts, 7 ' Ee- 
garding pre-eminent criminality as the objective pointt 
in a career, Rulloff's seems to nave been a success, the 
most remarkable and terribly unique in the annals of! 
crime. 

The County Clerk's Office, now building (1872), occuh 



Appendix. %%% 

jaies very nearly the site of the Old Academy. It is td 
'■■■ a sn -tire-proof structure, ample and suitable 

as a dej: - important documents. The business 

ami lvqu v hum of the old office held long since out : 
g • w.i s i • modations, and the building stood in 
such relation to the New Court House as to have become 
a deformity ; its removal, therefore, was both necessary 
and desirable, to give opportunity for grading the land 
on the west of the Court House. It is evident, more- 
over, that symmetry would have been consulted if the 
Court House had been placed fifteen or twenty feet fur- 
ther toward the east. 

The Firemen's Hall, situated on Collier street, was 
finished in 1858. It has rooms for the fire apparatus 
and conveniences for thawing, cleaning and drying hose 
in winter; also separate rooms and parlors for the sev- 
eral companies; rooms for the Common Council and the 
Public Library. The Board of Education holds its meet- 
ings in the latter. The third floor is occupied by a hall 
for concerts, festivals, lectures and public meetings: 
There is also a room connected with the hall containing 
a rang? and work-tables for the convenience of festive 
occasions. 

NEW YORK STATE INEBRIATE ASYLUM: 

The site selected for the Inebriate Asylum is a delight- 
ful one, comprising over two hundred and fifty-two acres 
of land, presented by the citizens of Binghamton, for 5 
the purpose to which it is devoted. It is situated aboul 
two miles eastward from the Court House, on the sum- 
mit of a gently sloping eminence, some two hundred 
and forty feet above the water, and commands a view of 
the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers, and valleys for 
eight and nine miles each way, while to the north-west 
every part of the city can be seen. The grounds sur- 
rounding the edifice are devoted to suitable walks and 
lawns, and the remainder to farming purposes for the 
use of the institution. 

The design of the building combines prominence 



224 Appendix. 

adapted to its conspicuous position, with neatness and 
beauty. The structure is three hundred and sixty-five 
feet in length, three stories high, in the castellated Gothic 
style, with massive towers, turrets and buttresses, em- 
battled at the top. The transept is sixty-two feet wide 
by seventy-two feet deep, exclusive of towers and a por- 
tion of the front wall, thus making a large vestibule of the 
first story. The wings are fifty-one feet deep, and one 
hundred and forty-seven feet on each fagade, exclusive 
of the projection of the towers, which are four feet six 
inches, making the extreme length three hundred and 
sixty-five feet. The centre portion of the wings pro- 
jects seven feet on each facade, giving ample room on one 
side of the corridor for stairs each way, without dimin- 
ishing the depth of the rooms, or the width of the corri- 
dor. The projecting portions of the wings have gables 
and turrets at the angles, six feet square at the bottom, 
chamfered at the second stage, and carried up octago- 
nal toward, the top. The basement is embellished with 
heavy base— the stories above are separated by heavy 
moulded string courses. The first story of the transept 
is divided transversely by a hall fourteen feet wide, run- 
ning from front to rear entrances, and longitudinally by 
an other hall, of the same width, in the first and second 
stories, communicating at each end with the corridors 
of the wings. The hall in the third story is also four- 
teen feet wide. The second stoiy of the transept con- 
tains a parlor on each of the two sides of the longitudi- 
nal hall, 22 by 28 feet. The transverse hall, which 
is fourteen by twenty-eight feet, can be shut off from the ' 
longitudinal by sliding doors, and used as a parlor, and 
the three rooms connected by sliding doors, The third 
story of the transept contains a chapel thirty by sixty- 
nine feet, and four rooms on each side of it, with a ward- - 
robe to each. The basement and transept contain at 
kitchen, servants' dining room, butler's room, pantry and I 
store and medicine rooms. The first story has four' 
rooms twenty-two by twenty-eight feet, besides the 1 
rooms in the towers and vestibule, an office, reception-- 



Appendix. 225 

room, physicians' room, and dining room. The rooms 
in the towers are eight feet square. Corridors, nine feet 
wide, run the entire length of the wings, and are light- 
ed at the end by a large triple window, by a skylight 
next the transept, and by sash-doors in the centre. The 
wings are divided into separate wards, there being twen- 
ty-two rooms in each ward. The towers in the wino S 
are seven feet square inside and fitted up with bath tubs. 
The heights of ceilings in the transept are : basement, 
nine feet ; first story, fourteen feet six inches ; second 
story, fifteen feet six inches ; chapel, twenty-six feet; 
and the rooms each side of it, ten feet. The heights of 
ceilings in the wings are : basement, nine feet ; first 
story, twelve feet eight inches ; second story, twelve feel 
lour inches; and third story twelve feet. All the win- 
dows above the basement are embellished with heavy 
; stone mouldings ; and the parapets, finished with pro- 
jecting stone cornices and battlements. The second and 
third story windows in the transept, and in the towers 
attached thereto, have pointed windows. The windows 
of the chapel, and the centre window in the west eleva- 
tion of the second story, will be of stained glass. The 
dressings to the doors, windows, battlements, wreathings, 
etc., are of Syracuse lime stone, and the entire front °is 
composed of the same substantial materials; but the 
stone of the rear wails is obtained on the premises. The 
interior walls are chiefly of brick. 

*< This Asylum," writes the venerable Dr. Paddock in 
the Autumn of 1861, « is sui generis. As a remedial as 
well as charitable institution, it has no fellow, There 
is nothing like it in any other part of the world. Look- 
ing upon inebriety as a disease as well as a crime, the 
projectors of the Asylum propose to treat it in that char- 
acter. It is believed that quite as large a proportion of 
the intemperate as of the insane can be restored to 
themselves and to society. Removed from temptation, 
|iand suojected to appropriate treatment, there is every 
''reason to hope that many, at least, will be rescued from 
the drunkard's career, and the drunkard's grave. At 



226 Appendix. 

anv rate, humanity and religion alike demand the ex- 
pe me nt." 

lie ceremonies of laying the corner- 
in nificent edifice took place September 
It as long been deemed the province of t 
A epted Masons to inaugurate such ent pris< . d 
in I he quaint style of their craft to signify t 
al and crave blessings on the end. Accordingly by in- 
vitation of the trustees, the Grand Officers of the Mason- 
ic Fraternity, and many brethren, were present to initiate 
this truly grand and impressive ceremonial. 

The occasion was one to attract and fix the attention 
of all thoughtful men; the beginning of an enterprise 
which involved interests and principles of the highest 
importance to civilization and to humanity; "the first 
of that which is probably destined to have no last while 
the world stands;" the laying of "the corner stone not 
merely of an edifice, but of a principle and a custom.'' 
Some of the most distinguished orators and philanthro- 
pists of our land were present, and addressed the vast 
assembly that came together on this imposing occasion. 
Citizens of distinction from all parts of the country hon- 
ored it with their presence, not merely as idle spectators, 
but to unite their interests and their sympathies with 
those of the citizens of New York, in founding the first 
Inebriate Asylum in the world. 

The speakers were the Hon. Benj. F. Butler, Pres't. of the 
Asylum, John W.Francis, M.D., L.L.D., the Rev. Henry 
W. Bellows, D.D., Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, Hon. Ed- 
ward Everett, M. W. John L. Lewis, Jr., and Alfred B. 
Street, Esq. Of the distinguished speakers who inter- 
ested and instructed the thousands that had assembled 
on that occasion, but a bare minority survived after ten 
years. Butler and Francis, Dickinson and Everett, had 
passed away to be no more seen or heard in time. De- 
fessi jam long o labore requiescant in pace. 

Of the various and interesting exercises on that day, 
we have room only for the brief and quaintly impressive 
ceremony of laying the corner stone, by the Free and 
Accepted Masons : 



Appendix. 227 

Preliminary to the ceremony, a box bad been prepared 
which contained copies of all important documents relat- 
ing to the origin and founding of the institution : cata- 
logues, reports, histories, and transactions of various 
medical societies, colleges, asylums, hospitals, and 
charitable institutions, the leading periodicals and mag- 
azines of the country, and various other relics and me- 
mentoes of our time. 

In commencing, M. W. John L. Lewis, Jr., the Grand 
Master, directed the Grand Treasurer to deposit the box 
in the corner stone, and the stone was then laid in its 
proper place, under the direction of the Architect, Isaac 
G. Perry, Esq. 

The Grand Master then said : 

B. W. Deputy Grand Master, what is the proper jewel of your 
office ? 

D. G. M. — The Square. 

G. M. — What is its moral and Masonic use ? 

D. G. M. — To square our actions by virtue, and to square and 
prove our work. 

(i. M. — Apply the implement of your office to that portion of 
the stone as needs to be squared, and make report. [It was done.] 

D. G. M— M. W., I find the stone to be square ; the craftsmen 
have performed their duty. 

G. M. — B. W. Sen. Grand Warden, what is the proper jewel of 
your office % 

S. ft. W.— The Level. 

G. M. — What is its moral and Masonic use ? 

g, (j w. — Morally, it reminds us of equality, and we use it to 
lay horizontals. 

Ci. M— Apply the implement of your office to the foundation 
stone, and make report. [It was done.] 

g. Q, W.— M. W., I find the stone to be level ; the craftsmen 
have x>erformed their duty. 

G.M.— B. W. Jun. Grand Warden, what is the proper jewel of 
your office 1 

j. g. W.— The Plumb. 

G. M. — What is its moral and Masonic use 1 

j. <7. W.— Morally it teaches recitude of conduct, and we use it 
to try perpendiculars. 

G. M.— Apply the implement of your office to the several edges 
of the foundation stone and make report, [It was done.] 

J. G. W. — M. W\, I find that the stone is plumb ; the craftsmen 
have performed their duty. 



228 Appendix. 

G. M. — This corner-stone having been tested by the proper im- 
plements of Masonry, I find that the craftsmen huve skillfully 
and faithfully performed their duty ; and I declare the stone to 
be well formed, true and trusty, and truly and correctly laid, ac- 
cording to the rules of our ancient craft. 

Prayer was then offered by the R. W. Grand Chap- 
lain, concluding with the Lord's Prayer, in which the 
brethren joined with heads uncovered, which produced 
a very striking effect. The response by them was, *' So 
mote it be." 

G. M. — Let the elements of consecration now be presented. 

TheBrother who carried the vessel of corn,then present- 
ed it to the Grand Master, who presented it to the Grand 
Marshal, and he placed it in the hands of the D. G. M. 

The D. Grand Master then scattered it on the stone, 
saying : 

1 scatter this corn as an emblem of plenty. May the blessings 
of bounteous heaven be showered down upon us, and upon all 
like patriotic and benevolent undertakings, and inspire the hearts 
of the people with virtue, wisdom, and gratitude. 

Response — So mote it be. 

The cup of wine was in like manner presented to the 
Sen. Grand Warden, who poured it upon the stone, and 
said : 

I pour this wine as an emblem of joy and gladness. May the 
Grand Ruler of the Universe grant long life and continued health 
to the officers of our National, State, and Local Government — pre- 
serve the Union of the United States — and may it be a bond of 
friendship and brotherly love that shall endure through time. 

Response — So mote it be. 

The cup of oil was also passed to the Jun. Grand 
Warden, who poured it upon the stone, and said : 

I pour this oil as an emblem of peace. May its blessings abide 
with us continually, and the Grand Master of Heaven and Earth 
shelter and protect the widow and the orphan — shield and protect 
them from the trials and vicissitudes of the world— and so bestow 
his mercy upon the bereaved, the afflicted, and the sorrowing, that 
they may know sorrow and sighing no more. 

Respone — So mote it be. 

The Grand Master then struck the stone three times 
with his gavel, and said : 

Having now, with the assistance of the Grand Lodge and the 
Fraternity, duly laid the foundation-stone of the New York State 



Appendix. 229 

Inebriate Asylum, according to the rules of our ancient craft, we 
should supplicate the blessings of the Great Architect of the Uni- 
verse upon the undertaking, and implore that He will be pleased 
to favor this noble Asylum of the unfortunate, wretched, anddes* 
pairing, and make it productive of good to our common humanity 
— the just pride of our civilization, and an ornament to our great 
State. 

Brethren, be reverently attentive to our R. W. Grand Chaplain, 
while he supplicates in our behalf. 

Grand Chaplain.— May the All Bounteous Author of Nature 
bless the inhabitants of this place, and all here assembled, with 
the necessaries, comforts, and conveniences of life ; assist in the 
erection and completion of this building, devoted to the great 
cause of temperance and morality ; protect the workmen from 
every accident, and long preserve this structure from decay, and 
grant to us all a supply of the corn of nourishment, the wine of 
refreshment, and the oil of joy. Amen. 

Response — So mote it be. 

Grand Master — The grand honors will now be given. Atten- 
tion ! Top-ether, brethren ! 

The grand honors were then given by three times three. 

The Grand Master having seen and inspected the plan 
of the building, returned it, with the working tools, to 
the architect, and said : 

Mr. Architect : These plans having been adopted by the Trus- 
tees of the Asylum, and approved by us, we return them to you, 
togetli3r with these implements of your art, with the hope that 
under your skillful guidance the building may progress to com 
pletion with all due speed, and that it may long remain as an 
ornament of your skill as an architect, and the enterprise of those 
who projected the design. 

The Grand Master then declared the ceremonies com- 
pleted, and the stone laid in ample iorm, and proceeded 
to the delivery of his Address. 

In closing our rather meagre account of the Inebriate 
Asylum, it seems eminently proper to make honorable 
mention of the gentleman whose enthusiastic and inde- 
fatigable efforts have created a new institution, which is 
an advance in the science of humanity, and which is des- 
tined to lead to an amelioration of the condition of civ- 
ilization itseif. Such mention was happily made in the 
conclusion of his Address, by the Rev. Henry W. Bel- 
lows, D. D., in which he pays the following highly ap- 
propriate tribute to Br. J. Edward Turner: 



230 Appendix. 

To the courageous and humane hearts and minds that 
leave the easy and beaten paths of indolent custom, to 
explore new ways of usefulness, to open new tracks of 
safety, to pioneer Humanity's questful progress, we owe 
peculiar honor ; and if they clothe themselves in the 
modest garb of unassuming worth, we owe it all the 
more. I rejoice, then, to be able to lift to the pedestal of 
this majestic occasion, and there to place before the eyes 
of the friends of the unfortunate, of the inebriate, and 
his wretched victims only less miserable than himself, 
the name of the first man who proposed, and advocated, 
and successfully carried into effect, the project of an 
Inebriate Asylum — Dr. J. Edward Turner. May God 
reward his faith and his works ! 

One great event in physical science has illustrated the 
year in which we live, forever memorable in the minds 
of men, as the year in which time, and space, and sea, 
yielded to man's longing for union with his race. An 
other, not now so evident or so generally appreciated, 
has already occurred in the starting of a policy, the be- 
ginning of a class of benevolent institutions, destined to 
run round the world, and to unite all men in gratitude. 
As I looked last night at the flaming comet in our sky, 
and saw it inclined and plumed like a pen, fit and ready 
for The Almighty's own hand, I could not but feel, that if 
He should seize it and inscribe with its diamond-point* 
upon the sky the chief event of this Annus Mirabilis, it 
would be the foundation of a policy and a usage such as 
that we now celebrate — of an Institution, the first of its 
kind in the world, which proclaims that Mercy is better 
than Justice ; nay, that Mercy is an exacter Justice., 

At the close of these remarks Dr. Bellows was warmly 
applauded. 

Of the progress of the Asylumn — of its early struggles 5 
— its partial destruction by fire and of its steady advance- 
ment toward success — we have not time to speak. The 
institution has been in operation long enough to demon- 
strate the possibility of reformation for the inebriate 
who is willing, or who is susceptible of being made 



Appendix. 231 

willing to reform. This institution will undoubt- 
edly demonstrate the propriety of demanding for 
society a higher order of protection from govern- 
ment than it has hitherto been willing to grant. 
" It is not only the inebriate who is destined 
to be restrained of his liberty and treated with 
medical and psychological skill, but the criminal, and 
the vicious of every grade, the moment their liberty be- 
comes dangerous to society. And the terms of their 
confinement are ultimately to be limited only by the 
date of their cure ; life-long for the incorrigible and in- 
curable in all cases, brief as possible for all who yield 
readily to a humane treatment. Society gains nothing 
by holding for an hour any man a prisoner who is fit to 
be at large. Liberty and human rights gain nothing by 
allowing any man to be at large for a moment, who is 
destroying himself and his family and neighbors. All 
that we need is, what we are fast gaining a possession of, 
the tests and gauges of this fitness or unfitness ; and 
then, precisely what we do with the idiot, the insane, 
and the thief, we shall do with the inebriate, the murder- 
er, and the weak and wicked of all classes." 

The success of this institution is already attracting 
the attention of the civilized world ; it is therefore an 
honor to our city, that through the enlightened liberali- 
ty of a number of its citizens, such provision was made 
of site and surroundings, as to have located here the first 
Asylum for the Inebriate. 

While the improvements just mentioned were making 
in our village other enterprises had been completed, or 
were in process of inception, which were to exert an im- 
portant influence upon the growth and development of 
Binghamton. In September, 1852, the New York and 
Erie Company purchased the Paterson and Eamapo 
Railroad, which was immediately adapted to the "broad 
gauge," and connected with the Erie at Sufferns. From 
Corning a branch had been extending toward Buffalo, 
and it was opened for traffic in November of the same 
year; thus furnishing a direct route to Jersey City and 



232 Appendix. 

New York for the travel which concentrates at 
Buffalo. 

Allusion has already been made to the Syracuse and 
Binghamton Railroad. This was one of the first of those 
enterprises which the geographical position of Bingham- 
ton determined ; and being the first, it was slower in be- 
ginning than such undertakings usually are. It is safe 
to say that this road was talked of for more than twelve 
years before definite action was taken. A company was 
finally organized in 1852, and in July following con- 
tracts were let, and the work of grading commenced in 
September. The road is eighty miles in length, and was 
two years in building, the most difficult and expensive 
parts of the work being near the two ends of the route. 
It was opened for traffic in the autumn of 1854. In the 
mean time the Delaware and Lackawanna road had per- 
fected its connection with the Erie at Great Bend, and 
Syracuse as well as towns along the line began more 
generally to enjoy the luxury of coal fires in ameliorating 
the rigors of our Northern winter. The argument for 
cheap fuel had been freely used in canvassing for the 
road at preliminary meetings, but as a fact was never 
realized to any extent, owing to a lack of competition in 
the coal trade. The Syracuse and Binghamton Rail- 
road did not at first meet the anticipations of its pro- 
jectors, and after a time was sold out on its "first mort- 
gage bonds;" a new company was formed, and the road 
passed under different management, which suceeeded in 
acquiring the ill will pretty generally of the inhabitants 
along the line, by an uncompromising repudiation of 
all obligations of the original company. 

In the years 1851 and 1852 the project of a railroad 
from Albany to Binghamton begau to be earnestly dis- 
cussed, and in January, 1853, a company was formed 
and preliminary surveys were immediately commenced. 
The distance is a hundred and forty miles, through a 
region rich in agricultural products, but presenting a 
surface to task engineering skill in determining the most 
practicable line. Work was begun in September, 1853, 



Appendix' 233 

and was prosecuted during the following season. In the 
latter part of 1854, after a large outlay had been made, 
many stockholders became discouraged, and it was only 
through the persevering efforts of the President, J. H. 
Ramsey. Esq., of Albany, and the Board of Directors, 
that the project was not abandoned. The enterprise of 
these gentlemen, however, overcame the opposition, as 
also the financial difficulties of the situation, which were 
sufficiently depressing, and the work went slowly on, 
overcoming every difficulty and discouragement. The 
road was opened to Schoharie in September, 1863 ; to 
Cobleskill in January, 1865; to Oneonta, September, 

1865 ; to Unadilla, March, 1866 ; to Sidney, October, 

1866 ; to Bainbridge, July, 1867. 

The last forty miles of the road toward Binghamton 
were built through a region of hills and narrow valleys 
which involved a great amount of labor and expense. 
In the autumn of 1867 the road was opened to Nineveh, 
in this county, in the vicinity of which is a tunnel of 
two thousand two hundred feet through a hill of loose 
gravel and rock — a work of great difficulty and danger. 
The road was finally opened to Binghamton in the 
month of January, 1869. 

The road had been in operation but a few months 
when the " Erie Ring," looking upon the Albany and 
Susquehanna as a good sample of the " sick man," began 
to covet the possession of a thoroughfare which would 
give them absolute control of an enormous coal trans- 
portation, both for regions of supply and demand — the 
former including the most valuable coal mines of north- 
ern Pennsylvania — the latter comprising the Susque- 
hanna valley, and Albany with its dependencies. Hos- 
tilities commenced by the perpetration of certain out- 
rages under the forms of law — a device eminently 
characteristic of the Ring. First came a volley of 
injunctions restraining every officer of the assailed cor- 
poration from performing his duties, and leaving the 
road to operate itself. Thus much by way of opening. 
The next step was to procure the appointment of 



234 Appendix. 

receivers, and. the bow notorious Barnard was willing 
and available for the asking. Accordingly, late one 
evening at the Erie offices, " the signature of that en i- 
nent magistrate was affixed to an order appointing James 
Fisk, Jr., and another person, receivers of the Albany 
and Susquehanna Railroad Company. This was proba- 
bly as irregular as any order ever signed by a judge." 
The consequences were momentous and significant — a 
disgrace to the judicial system of New York, and an 
outrage upon civilization and all legal forms. There 
were "scenes in courts of justice, where judges pelted 
one another with injunctions, and made a jest of their 
grave proceedings — scenes in the offices of corporations, 
where scuffles took place between contending receivers, 
both officers of the same court, and that the Supreme 
Court of New York" — scenes upon the railway, where 
contending forces were marshaled under opposing sher- 
iffs armed with orders and injunctions signed in blank, 
and even sent by telegraph for use at the place of con- 
flict ; and, finally, as if our State had not yet been suffi- 
ciently humiliated and disgraced, resort was had to acts 
of open war. Mobs of armed laborers and partisans of 
the two corporations began to take forcible possession of 
the railway in dispute. The judicial system of New 
York had sunk into helpless and contemptible col- 
lapse ; there was no help for it : and the military were 
called out, as it proved, just in time. ■ 

Many will recollect the feeling of indignation that 
pervaded this community when it was rumored that a 
train filled with employees from the shops at Susque- 
hanna, and drawn by one of their heaviest engines, had 
gone up the road toward Albany, with the intention of 
clearing and seizing possession of the track by acts of 
guerrilla war. Just beyond the tunnel this train was 
met by another from Albany similarly equipped. The 
engines were driven into collision, and fighting immedi- 
ately commenced. One cowardly miscreant fired a pis- 
tol several times into the Albany engine, but luckily 
without effect, andthen fled — guilty, nevertheless, of in- 



Append ix. 23§ 

tended and attempted murder. The Albany men were 
more numerous than their adversaries, and drove them 
back toward the tunnel. Shouts, yells, pistol shots, 
shrieks and groans, and curses of rage, from eight or 
nine hundred men mingled in inextricable confusion, 
rent the air as if pandemonium had broken loose. As 
the Erie men retreated through the tunnel there was a 
lull in the fight, and their engine backed away from the 
scene of the conflict. In a short time the Albany men 
attempted to follow up their partial victory. The Erie 
men rallied, and fighting was vigorously renewed, while 
stones, clubs, brick-bats, and old junk generally, enjoyed 
a few minutes at a premium. It was now quite past 8 
o'clock in the evening, and becoming difficult to distin- 
guish betwixt friend and foe, when suddenly the meas- 
ured tap of approaching drums rose upon the air; the 
shindy ceased : neither party cared to sustain a bayonet 
charge, and they took to their heels with a unanimity 
and a celerity which could only have originated from a 
belief that the whole of the 44th 'regiment was behind 
them. The two companies bivouacked in the fields and 
prepared for a night attack, but were unmolested. 

" The military now took possession of the road ; the 
contending lawyers agreed to place it in the control of 
the Governor of the State, and a military officer was de- 
tailed to operate this railroad in a time of profound 
peace," because business had been paralyzed and travel 
deranged " by the riotous proceedings of the officers of 
the law, stimulated and directed by Justices of the Su- 
preme Court." Thus ended the raid upon the Albany 
and Susquehanna Railroad. Fortunately no lives were 
sacrificed, except that a few chickens experienced an ab- 
breviation of their existence at the hands of the mili- 
tary. In a few months after these events the Albany 
and Susquehanna Railroad passed into possession of the 
Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. This company 
has built a branch road leading from its coal mine 
through the eastern part of Broome County, to form a 
junction with the Albany road, thereby diminishing the 



236 Appendix. 

distance and the grade over which their coal must be 
drawn. 

The railroad from Utica through the Chenango valley 
was begun at the same time that work on the Albany 
and Susquehanna road commenced. Its progress at first 
was slow, like that of the latter ; but after it had reached 
the interior towns, and the advantage and convenience 
of such a road became more and more manifest, its final 
completion was assured. It was opened to the village of 
Sherburne in August, 1868, and to Norwich the follow- 
ing year. 

In 1868 the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Rail- 
road Company purchased the Syracuse and Binghamton 
Road, and laid a third rail upon the roadway of the Syra- 
cuse and Oswego Road, for the purpose of running their 
broad-gauge cars to the latter place ; but owing to some 
controversy in regard to crossing the track of the New 
York Central at Syracuse, their trains did not run to 
Oswego until 1869, when the D. L. & W. had, by pur- 
chase, obtained possession of the Syracuse and Oswego 
Road. Soon after these arrangements were completed 
this wealthy and enterprising company effected the pur- 
chase of the Utica and Chenango Valley Road, and put- 
ting on a heavy force of men, that work was pushed rap- 
idly down the valley and made to connect with the 
Syracuse and Binghamton, at the Chenango Forks. In 
the mean time this company had in progress and had 
completed an independent line from Great Bend to 
Binghamton, thus forming a continuous line from 
Oswego to New York. Another railroad will probably 
ere long extend toward the south-west, connecting Bing- 
hamton and Dushore in Pennsylvania, and so complete 
the system of lines radiating from this natural inland 
centre. 

Binghamton has generally been well supplied with 
newspapers. In 1839 the Broome Bepublican, estab- 
lished in 1822 by Major Augustus Morgan, was pub- 
lished by Davis & Cooke, and afterward by Mr. Cooke 



Appendix. 237 

until 1848, when it was purchased by E. R. Colston and 
published about a year. The Republican afterward 
passed into the hands of William Stuart, Esq., and was 
edited and published by him, daily and weekly, alter 
some changes presently to be noticed, until some time 
in 1864. It was next owned and published by the Carl 
Brothers & Taylor, until February, 1867, when it was 
purchased by Messrs. Malette & Reid, by whom it has 
since been edited and published. 

In 1848 a daily called the Evening Express was 
issued from the Republican office, and in 1849 Messrs. 
Stuart & Evans began the publication of the Daily Iris, 
which was afterward merged in the Daily Repnibliean. 
The weekly Iris, enlarged from the original semi- 
monthly of that name, was published by Edwin T. 
Evans ? until 1853, when it was merged in the Republi- 
can. The Rev. William H. Pearne (Methodist) started 
the Susquehanna Journal in October, 1852, which was 
merged in the Republican in 1855. The Bingliamton 
Standard (a weekly) was begun in November, 1853, by 
J. Van Valkenburg, and was published successively by 
him, by G. W. Revnolds, E. K Chase, Alvin Sturtevant, 
and by M. L. "Hawley & Co., until 1869, when 
by purchase it was united with the Republican 
and published weekly under the title of the Republican 
and Standard, and subsequently the Bingliamton Re- 
publican, weekly, and the Binghamton Standard, semi- 
weekly. 

The Bingliamton Democrat is the lineal descendant of 
the Broome County Courier, which was started in 1831 
and conducted until 1837 by J. R. Orton. During the 
next five years it changed hands six times, passing suc- 
cessively into the possession of Sheldon & Marble, J. C. 
Sheldon, E. P. Marble, E. P. & J. W. Marble, Marble 
& Johnson, and J. & C. Orton in 1842, by whom the 
name was changed to the Binghamton Courier and. 
Broome County Democrat. "In 1846 it passed into the 
hands of Dr. N". S. Davis. During 1847 it was published 
by J. L. Burtis, under the abridged title of the Bing- 



238 Appendix. 

liamton Courier;" Mr. Burtis sold out to J. T. Brodfc, 
Esq., who conducted the paper until 1849, when it passed 
into the hands of the Hon. John R. Dickinson, and from 
him received its present title of Binghamton Democrat. 
The paper was edited and published by Judge Dickin- 
son until 1855, when Mr. W. S. Lawyer was received 
into partnership, and this firm continued the publica- 
tion till 1857, when Messrs. Lawyer & Adams bought 
out Mr. Dickinson. Mr. Adams died in 1860; at that 
time George Bartlett, Esq., was editor, but in the gene- 
ral readjustment of parties at the breaking; out of the 
war of the Rebellion, Mr. Bartlett became a " war Dem- 
ocrat," and Hallam Eldredge, Esq., assumed the editor- 
ship of the paper, which position he held until 1871 or 
thereabout, since which the brothers William S. and 
George L. Lawyer have continued to publish, and also 
to edit the paper. The Binghamton Times, daily, was 
started December 1st, 1863, and published in quarto by 
C. B. Gould at the corner of Court and Collier streets. 
The paper was put under the editorial supervision of 
Edward K. Clark, Esq. It was Republican in politics, 
but having to compete with two dailies and three week- 
lies well established, its publication was discontinued in 
August, 1864. The Journal, an advertising sheet, was 
commenced in April, 1869, by J. E. Williams ; it con- 
tinued about six months, and discontinued owing to the 
continued absence of the proprietor. September 10th 
of the same year the Carl Brothers, formerly of the Re- 
publican, started the Democratic Leader, which still 
lives and is liberally patronized. In April, 1871, the 
Binghamton Times was revived as a weekly, under the 
supervision of its former editor, and published by the 
Times Association. In May, 1872, it passed into the 
hands of Messrs. Purdy & Cronin, and was changed 
from quarto to newspaper folio. Special pains is taken 
with the Times, and in typography and press-work it 
will bear comparison with any paper published in the 
State. Binghamtou for many years has been fortunate 
in the possession of skillful printers and pressmen ; and 



Appendix. 239 

books, pamphlets and law-papers done at these offices 
are creditable specimens of the " art preservative of all 
arts/' 

The Young Men's Christian Association of the vil- 
lage of Binghamton was incorporated December 4, 1852. 
This organization was designed to furnish rational enter- 
tainment and instruction to the young men of the vil- 
lage by establishing a library, and sustaining a reading- 
room and courses of lectures during the winter season, 
an the holding of a meeting for prayer or other reli- 
gio s services on the Sabbath. The Association has 
preserved its organization for nearly twenty years. Its 
library now forms an important part of the Union 
School Library of the city. The following named gen- 
tlemen were the first officers of the Association, a num- 
ber of whom are still residents of Binghamton : Presi- 
dent, Edward Tompkins; First Vice-President, Solo- 
mon Judd ; Second Vice-President, Charles S. Hall ; 
Third Vice-President, Edward Z. Lewis; Corresponding 
Secretary, Franklin A. Durkee; Recording Secretary, 
James B. Chad wick ; Treasurer, Julius P. Morgan ; 
Managers, Henry S. West, George E. Flynt, Hallam E. 
Pratt, and J. T. Brodt. 

The Binghamton Gas- Light Company was formed in 
March, 1853. The works of the Company are situated 
at the foot of South Washington and Water streets ; 
and although possessed of ample facilities, they have 
never accomplished anything very remarkable or praise- 
worthy in furnishing cheap " light for the dear people." 

The facilities for education in Binghamton for 
the last thirty or forty years have been excel- 
lent. Mention has already been made of some of them. 
In 1847 the Misses Marsh opened a seminary for young- 
ladies. It was known as Harmony Retreat, and was lo- 
cated on the north side of the corporation. This school 
was maintained for about sixteen years, and was ably 
conducted. 

Miss R. S. Ingalls, a graduate of the Oneida Conference 
Seminary at Cazenovia, established the River-side Semi- 



240 Appendix. 

nary in 1848. This was a boarding and day-school for 
young ladies, very pleasantly situated on the west side 
of the Chenango. It was conducted with remarkable 
success for about twenty years. 

In 1857, Miss Barton opened a seminary for young 
ladies in the Doubleday Block on Henry street. This 
school was maintained about thirteen years. 

In September, 1861, Miss Susan K/Cook, the accom- 
plished daughter of the Rev. J. B. Cook, opened a school 
for young ladies at the residence of her father, on the 
corner of Court and Liberty streets, now the residence 
of R. K. Ainory. This institution was not patronized 
as it deserved, in consequence of its distance from the 
centre of the village. Miss Cook now holds a prominent 
position in the PacKer Collegiate Institute of Brooklyn. 

The Legislature of New York, in 1861, passed an act 
conferring upon the corporation of Binghamton, the 
requisite powers to establish and sustain a system of free 
graded schools. The system was inaugurated in the 
Autumn of the same year, under the supervision of 
David H. Cruttenden, A. M., an able and experienced 
teacher. Under his administration the schools steadily 
and rapidly improved. Mr. Cruttenden resigned in the 
Spring of 1864, and Mr. H. T. Funnell, Principal of 
Ward School, No. 5, was appointed Superintendent. Mr. 
Funnell resigned in Oct. I860, and for the remainder of 
the school-year the duties of Superintendent were per- 
formed by Prof. Geo. Jackson, Principal of the Central 
High-School. In August, 1866, Prof. Norman F. 
Wright, of the Batavia Union School was elected Super- 
intendent and filled that office until the Spring of 1868, 
when he resigned, and shortly after was elected to the 
Professorship of Ancient Languages in the Cortland 
Normal School. 

Immediately on the resignation of Professor Wright, 
Geo. L. Farnham, Esq., formerly Superintendent of 
Schools for the city of Syracuse, was elected to the posi- 
tion of Superintendent and has since continued to hold 
the office. Within five years more than two hundred 



Appendix. 241 

thousand dollars have been expended upon school build- 
ings. Superintendent Farnham has furnished the plans 
for Ward Schools No. 4, No. 5, and the Central High 
School ; the last has been erected and furnished at an 
expense of about $100,000. School building No. 5 and 
the Central High School building are not surpassed by 
any buildings of their class in the State, outside of the 
city of New York. 

The system of free schools has in great measure with- 
drawn the patronage of the private schools, and on this 
account chiefly the several schools of this kind mention- 
tioned above were finally closed. The Central High 
School begins the school year of 1872 and 1873 in the 
new building, in charge of Professor E. S. Frisbee, M. A. , 
a graduate of Amherst College, and Avho has for sev- 
eral years been at the head of the schools of North- 
ampton, Mass. 

The Roman Catholics have a flourishing school con- 
nected with the church property of their denomination, 
on LeRoy street, west of the Chenango. It is conducted 
under the general supervision of the Rev. James F. 
Hourigan, and has been very effective for good to the 
children and youth of that denomination. 

The Susquehanna Seminary was founded in 1854, by 
the Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. A substantial and imposing building of brick, 
one hundred and sixty-one feet long, and four stories 
high, was erected for the accommodation of the school. 
It stands on a beautiful eminence at the west side of the 
city. The school was maintained seven years, and finally 
became hopelessly embarrassed, and failed. The build- 
ing, after standing unused for some time, was fitted up 
in 1867 at the expense of the State, for the use of the 
Blind Asylum, now located at Batavia, but was never 
l occupied by it. It then was said to have been purchased 
by Mr. Place, who was intending to establish and endow 
an institution for the education of young ladies, to be 
entitled Place College. During about three years of the 
time that the building was owned by Mr. Place, it was 
11 



242 Appendix. 

occupied by the Susquehanna Valley Home, an asylum 
for orphan children gathered from the counties of 
Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Tioga, and 
Tompkins. Late in the autumn of 1871 the Home was 
transferred to the Griffith mansion, where it is now lo- 
cated, and the Seminary building during the present 
summer (1872) has passed into the possession of other 
parties, by whom it is refitting, to be occupied as a sem- 
inary for young ladies. It is thus finally to be devoted 
to an educational use, for which it was at first intended. 

The Susquehanna Valley Home, which is mentioned 
above, owes its origin mainly to John G. Orton, M. D., 
of this city, and is designed to furnish as nearly as pos- 
sible to the dependent orphan children of the several 
counties named the comforts and refining influences of 
a home, in which these little waifs of fortune may be 
properly cared for, and educated to become good citizens 
— a home to which they will look back in after years with 
some of those tender recollections that cluster around a 
home, and make it the last place one would be willing 
to forget. To this end every appliance that parental 
care and ingenuity can devise, is to be employed, that 
the young years of these little unfortunates shall be as 
happy and free from anxious care as are those of chil- 
dren generally. This institution combines within itself 
the advantages of a well-regulated family, and a board- 
ing-school. 

The Binghamton Commercial College was first opened 
in 1859 by Messrs. Lowell & Warner. It is designed to 
furnish a thoroughly practical business education, and 
has been very successful in carrying out that design. In 
1868 Mr. D. W. Lowell, who had become sole proprietor, 
sold out to Messrs. Bull & Wheeler, who had previously 
been teachers in the school ; but in July, 1869, the 
school and property reverted to Mr. Lowell, who has 
since conducted it with much success. 

In connection with the various institutions already 
mentioned, the Binghamton Water Cure is deserving of 
special attention. It is owned and conducted by 0. V. 



Appendix. 243 

Thayer, M. D., and is patronized from a broad extent of 
country, reaching even beyond the Mississippi. The 
main building is eighty feet long by forty-five wide, and 
four stories high. It is situated upon the southern de- 
clivity of Mount Prospect, and so elevated as to com- 
mand a full view of the city, and of a landscape so varied 
and picturesque as always to attract and challenge the 
study and admiration of the beholder. The building is 
provided with ample rooms, both public and private, for 
the accommodation of a large number of patients and 
boarders ; while every provision is made for the quiet, 
comfort, and convenience of all. An abundant supply 
of pure, soft spring-water is conducted into the estab- 
lishment through galvanized iron pipes. A beautiful 
grove of oak and maple surrounds the place, and every 
facility is provided for gymnastic exercises, both in doors 
and out. The culinary department is carefully super- 
vised, and the table is all that can be desired, under the 
intelligent management of Mrs. Thayer, who is herself a 
physician, and therefore a helpmeet for so responsible a 
position, and an invaluable auxiliary when her own sex 
seek treatment at this popular institution. In all that 
constitutes an eligible location for such an establish- 
ment, " Binghamton may safely challenge a comparison 
with any other interior town in the country. In salu- 
brity of climate, certainly, it has no superior. This is 
not presumption, merely, but the dictate of experience, 
of which its sanitary statistics furnish the most conclu- 
sive evidence. If there be any other place superior to it, 
the writer knows not where to look for the enviable spot. 
Here the local facts are all favorable to health ; and such 
a thing as cholera, or yellow fever, or other desolating 
epidemic, has never been experienced. A safer retreat 
for the valetudinarian could perhaps scarcely be found.'" 4 
Binghamton has long shown a tender and commend- 

*Rev. Dr. Paddock, (1861,) from whose History of Bingliam- 
ton, prefacing Brigham's Binghamton and Broome County Direc- 
tory, we have derived many hints and statistics in the preparation, 
of this appendix. 



244 Appendix. 

able solicitude in providing a final resting place for the 
dead. No better test of the culture and refinement of 
any community can be found than to visit its cemete- 
ries ; and to such a test, certainly, our city need not 
demur. Twenty years ago it became evident that the 
old cemeteries, however judiciously located at first and 
well cared for, were becoming inadequate to the wants 
of the village, and before many years the growth of the 
place would perhaps necessitate their removal. Accord- 
ingly, about the year 1855, the Spring Forest Cemetery 
was laid out on the west side of the Chenango, along the 
southern base of Mount Prospect, and toward its west- 
ern extremity. It contains forty acres, and is large 
enough to aiford a good variety of surface and scenery, 
while the vicinage is such as to admit of its easy enlarge- 
ment whenever it shall become necessary or desirable. 
These grounds were tastefully laid out under the direc- 
tion of the Superintendent of Greenwood Cemetery, and 
have become an attractive resort for the city ; supplying 
in some degree the place of a public park. The elevated 
grounds on the north side present to view a landscape 
of surpassing loveliness — less bold and striking than the 
generality of views about Binghamton, it is yet in ad- 
mirable keeping as a surrounding to the house appointed 
for all living. 

The pine wood gently sighing from the west, 
The brook soft gliding in the vale below, 

Speak to the care-worn soul of quiet rest, 

When quits life's fevered pulse-throb aye to flow. 

Spring Forest Cemetery seems to supersede all the 
other Protestant cemeteries, and will doubtless in time 
receive into its bosom most of those bodies which have 
heretofore rested in the neighboring places of sepulture. 

There are now eleven churches in Binghamton, and 
of the earliest of these in their origin, some account has 
already been given.* 

* These notes on Churches have been taken mainly from the 
Rev. Dr. Paddock's History of Binghamton, with such additions 
and omissions as were rendered necessary by the lapse of time, 
and to adapt them to our purposes. 



Appendix. 245 

ROMAN CATHOLIC. 

This communion, prior to 1838, had done but little in 
the way of church organization ; but in that year a house 
,of worship, situated on LeRoy street, west of the Che- 
nango, was dedicated. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Hughes 
officiated on the occasion, which brought together a large 
congregation, and was a service of great interest. The 
building which was then dedicated was removed in 1868 
to another location, to be used while the splendid ediffce, 
now in process of completion, was erecting. The de- 
nomination has, from the first, steadily increased in num- 
bers and importance ; and aided generously by Protestant 
contributions here, and by large donations' from their 
own people abroad, they now possess a fine ecclesiastical 
establishment, embracing a new brick church, comfort- 
able parsonage, ample school buildings, and convenient 
burying grounds. 

By appointment of Bishop Hughes, the Rev. James F. 
Hourigan took pastoral charge here in 1847, and has 
continued ever since to serve the church with distin- 
guished fidelity and success. In no branch of Christain 
morals, however, has he been more successful than in 
that of temperance ; and when we consider that he has 
over three thousand communicants under his supervis- 
ion, his success must be attributed to an eminently wise 
and vigorous administration. 

The new church, St. Patrick's, will seat two thousand 
persons, and its cost is estimated at $120,000. The 
church property is valued at $200,000. 

The Convent of St. Joseph, under the care of the Sis- 
ters of St. Joseph, has about 30 boarders and 400 day 
scholars. 

The St. James School for boys has an attendance of 
about 130. D. J. Dowden is the Principal. 

PKOTESTANT EPISCOPAL. 

The first organization of an Episcopal Church in this 
village, according to Dr.- Paddock, was made on the 19th 
of September, 1810, the Rev. Daniel Nash, chairman. It 



246 Appendix. 

took the title of St. Ann's Church. This organization 
was dissolved, and a new one effected six years later, Hon. 
Tracy Robinson, chairman. The first edifice was conse- 
crated by Bishop Hobart, November 20, 1818, by the 
name of Christ Church. This building was sold to the 
Methodists, and removed to Henry street. A new edifice 
was erected in 1822. This stood till 1854, when it in 
turn gave place to the present stone building, which was 
opened for worship on the 4th of March, 1855. The cost 
of the church and furniture was estimated at thirty-five 
thousand dollars. It would probably require double 
that amount to build such an edifice at the present rates 
of material and labor. This was the first one erected, of 
the several elegant and substantial church edifices which 
now adorn the city. It stands on the west side of Wash- 
ington street, opposite the junction of Henry street with 
the same, and is a beautiful specimen of the pure Gothic 
style in architecture ; it will seat seven hundred persons. 
The following is a list of the rectors of the parish since 
1836: 

Rev. Edward Andrews, D. D., from 1836 to 1843. 

Rev. J. F. Robertson, D. D., from 1843 to 1845. 

Rev. Edward Andrews, D. D., from 1845 to 1851. 

Rev. Amos B. Beach, D. D., from 1851 to 1861. 

Rev. M. C. Lightner, from 1861 to 1863. 

Rev. Charles Piatt, D. D., from 1863— (died Feb. 25, 1869.) 

Rev. William A. Hitchcock, from 1869 — (present rector.) 

The number of communicants is 350. The church 
property is probably worth $75,000. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

In the year 1817, as has already been stated, a church 
of the Congregational order, consisting of twenty mem- 
bers, was organized in this place by the Rev. Ebenezer 
Kingsbury and the Rev. Joseph Wood. A house of 
worship was erected two years afterward, on the site of 
the present brick church. The original building was 
fifty feet in length and forty in breadth, but by various 
repairs its galleries were removed, and the building en- 
larged to a length of sixty-six feet, and a breadth of sixty 



Appendix. ;M; 

feet. At a church meeting, June VI, 1820, it was voted 
" to request of the Presbytery liberty to adopt the Di 
rectory of the Presbyterian Church in the [Tnited States ;"'"' 
and, April 14, 1821, "voted to accept the Directory of 
the Presbyterian Church/' Up to that time forty-nine 
persons had connected themselves with the church. 
.There have been nine pastoi i installed over the church, 
as follow 

Rev. Benjamin Nile*, Installed 1818 , died in office, 

July 18, 1828 

Rev Peter Lockwood, installed November 1837 dismissed 
April, L$33 

Jt«;v. Lewi* 1). i Jo w<-j I , i n gtal i ed August, 1833 ; dismissed Sep 
tember, 1834. 

Rev.JohnA, Nash, installed Feb , 1836 , di mi*se^ April, 1838 

Rev, David D Gregory, Installed September, L830 ; dismissed 
January, 1848. 

Rev, John Humphrey, installed Oetobei 1848 , dismissed April 
1854. 

Rev. William I/. Goodrich, installed December, 1854; di* 
mil >ed -i nne, 1858 

Rev George N Boardman, installed November, 1859 j dU 
mi . ted April, 1871. 

Rev John J J Gulliver, installed Nov,, 1872 (now in office , 

Thirty-one persons have held the '>i]]<-<; of Elder, and 
fifteen thai of Deacon, 

At the annual meeting of the Presbyterian Society 
early in January, \< ( '><>, ii -,v.j . voted toereei a new house 
of Rrorship, and the old hon se «ras moved from its origi 
nal position, to give place to the new one, in ^><- follow- 
ing March. The new edifice ivas built of brick, in the 
Romanesque style, and had an audience-room ninety feet 
in length, not including the recess for the pulpit 

p-nve feci in breadth. Ii v.: designed to accommo- 
date aboui twelve hundred persons. The entire length 
of the building wsui one hundred and thirty feet; the 
breadth, including the towers of the front angles, a little 
more than eighty; the height of the spire gometl 
more than two hundred and thirty-two. 

The new church was completed early in 186$, and 
March 30th, the Sabbath, wm appointed as 'j< ( ; day of 



248 Appendix. 

its dedication. On the 16th of March, therefore, notice 
was given from the pulpit that on the next Sabbath the 
society would meet in the old house for the last time, 
when the Rev. Peter Lock wood, second pastor of the 
church, would preach a memorial discourse ; also, that 
on the following Sabbath they would meet in the new 
house and hold the dedicatory services." But, alas ! 
this was not to be. At two o'clock on that night the cry 
of "fire " called up the citizens and firemen to behold 
the old church in flames. It had been placed upon the 
northern portion of the lot, in near proximity to its for- 
mer site, and fitted up for use while the new edifice was 
building. The firemen were long in getting upon the 
ground— it was long before even the alarm bell was rung. 
When at last the engines were brought upon the ground, 
although it is said they were badly placed, it was hoped 
that the fire could be checked with the loss of the old 
house. But the intense heat cpiiekly set fire to the cor- 
nice of the new church, and soon the devourer was found 
to be eating his way up the roof beneath the shingles. 
Presently the fire reached the tower, which, with its lofty 
spire, served as a chimney to create a furious draft for 
the flames, and the hissing, crackling, roaring blaze de- 
fied all approach, and worked its will unhindered. The 
spire, for a time a tower of flame, began to reel ; its 
proud head, two hundred feet in the air, in a moment 
more must lie down in the dust ; where should it find 
its resting place ? It bowed gently down toward the 
ridge of the church — or the line of the ridge now fallen 
— and then with a crash went to the earth, falling wholly 
within the walls of the building. Indeed, so evenly and 
harmlessly did the entire wood-work of the upper part 
fall within the walls, that no person was injured, and 
even loose bricks upon the top of the wall were left un- 
disturbed, f 

f The above account of the burning of the church is taken, 
with slight modifications, from a "Historical Discourse preached 
on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church in 
Binghamton, Nov. 24, 1867, by George N. Boardman, D.D., Pastor." 



Appendix. 249 

Without delay measures were taken for restoring the 
house in accordance nearly with the original plan. The 
Walls were standing uninjured, no water having been 
thrown upon them in their heated condition. The chil- 
dren began to act, even while men were pondering the 
course to be pursued. They brought forward their offer- 
ings, such money as they had or could earn, and finally 
bought the bell which bears an inscription giving them 
the credit due to their devotion and generosity. The 
congregation met at Firemen's Hall, which was gener- 
ously put at their service every Sabbath for thirteen 
months, and the new house was again completed and 
dedicated for worship on Sabbath, April 26th, 1863. 

The pastor, Eev. George N. Boardman, preached the 
dedicatory sermon in the morning ; the Eev. D. D. 
Gregory, fifth pastor of the church, preached in the 
afternoon, and the Rev. Dr. Condit, of Auburn Theolog- 
ical Seminary, in the evening. 

No event in the history of this church has tended more 
to give it character and position abroad, than the energy 
displayed in replacing the edifice which had been burned. 

Five churches have been formed from the "First 
Presbyterian Church :" the Presbyterian Church of 
Castle Creek, organized in 1833, consisting of twenty- 
three members ; the Congregational Church of this city, 
organized in 1836 ; the North Presbyterian Church of 
this city, organized in 1870 ; and the 'West Presbyterian 
Church, also of this city, organized in 1871. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL — FIRST SOCIETY. 

In the year 1817, the same in which the Presbyterian 
Church originated, the first society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church was formed here, by the Eev. Ebenezer 
Doolittle. The organization consisted of a class, of 
which Mr. Joseph Manning was appointed Leader, as 
has been previously mentioned ; and from that time the 
place was more or less regularly visited by the Circuit 
Preachers. The following will be found to'be a tolerably 
accurate list of those early laborers, nearly in order of 



250 Appendix. 

succession : Revs. Ebenezer Doolittle, John Arnold, H. 
G. Warner, William Lull, Horace Agard, John Sayre, 
or Saver, Solon Stocking, G-aylord Judd, Philo Barbery, 
Benjamin Shipmau, M. K. Cushman, George Evans, 
H. P. Barnes, Daniel Torry, Silas Comfort, and Nelson 
Rounds. 

Binghamton was made a separate charge in 1832, and 
became what is called by the denomination a "station." 
This station, at first, included a large section of the 
surrounding country, the village itself being the centre 
of a circle some eight or ten miles in diameter ; but the 
country dependencies have since been detached and con- 
nected with other charges, so that now Binghamton 
stands substantially by itself. The following ministers, 
in succession, served at the Henry Street Church after 
it became a station : 

Rev. D. A. Shepard, 1832-3 Rev. Z. Paddock,, 1848-9 

" John S. Mitchell, 1834-5 " W. N. Pearne, 1850-1 

" HanfordColburn,1836 " B. W. Gorham, 1852 

" H. F. Row, 1887 " J. W. Davidson, 1853 

" Robert Fox, 1838 " D. A. Shepard, 1854-5 

" Joseph Cross, 1839 " A. P. Mead, 1856-7 

" Wm. N. Pearne, 1840 " T.D.Walker, 1858-9 

" F. H. Stanton, 1841.2 " Z. Paddock, 1860-1 

" Abel Barker, 1843-4 " W. Wyatt, 1862-3 

" Thos. H. Pearne, 1845-6 " W. B. Westlake, 1864 

" A. J. Dana, 1847 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL — SECOND SOCIETY. 

In 1851, "The Second Society of the Methodist 
Epircopal Church in Binghamton " was constituted ; it 
was an offshoot from the First, or Henry Street Church. 
Though less than a third of the parent society went into 
the new organization, it prospered so wonderfully that in 
ten years it could number two hundred and eighty-six 
members. Their place of worship was on the north-west 
corner of Court and Carroll streets. The house was 
originally built by dissenters from the M. E. Church, 
who called themselves " Protestant Methodists ;" but, 
not succeeding in their ecclesiastical project, they sold 
out to the new society. The building underwent mate- 



Appendix. 251 

rial repairs, and became for the time a neat and conven- 
ient place of worship. The following are the names of 
the successive pastors avIio served the Society by appoint- 
ment of Conference : 

Rev. 



Geo. P. Porter, 1851 


Rev. John A. Wood, 


1858-9 


Horatio R. Clark, 1852 


" B. W. Gorham, 


1860 


Epenetus Owen, 1853-4 


" D. C. 01 instead, 


1861-2 


B. W. Gorliam, 1855 


" P. S. Worden, 


1868 


Peter S. Worden,1856 


" G. N. Blakslee, 


1868 


H. R. Clarke, 1857 







In 1865, the centenary year of the M. E. Church in 
America, the societies which had been previously desig- 
nated as the Henry street and the Court street churches, 
were consolidated into one, the M. E. Church of Bitig- 
hamton, of which the Rev. D. W. Bristol, J). D., was the 
first pastor. The joint society then numbered 399 mem- 
bers in full connection, and 30 probationers ; it now has 
a membership of about 620, and upwards of 50 proba- 
tioners. 

Under the energetic leadership of Dr. Bristol, the 
Society at once took measures for providing itself with 
a suitable place of worship ; and during the next three 
years erected the "Centenary M. E. Church," which 
stands on the south-west corner of Court and Cedar 
streets. The corner stone was laid in the summer of 
1866, and the building was completed in 1868. The 
material is brick, with doorways and trimmings of Onon- 
daga lime-stone. In rear of the auditorium are ample 
class and Sabbath-school rooms ; and in the basement 
of the same a dwelling for the sexton. The church edi- 
fice cost $65,000 ; and the church property is valued at 
$75,000. 

The following are the names of the pastors who have 
served the M. E. Church of Binghamton since the con- 
solidation : 

Rev. D. W. Bristol, D. D., 1865, 1866, 1867. 
" J. D. Adams, 1868. 
" Wm. H. Olin, 1869, 1870, 1871. 
" L. C. Floyd, 1872. 



'Zb'Z Appendix. 



BAPTIST CHURCH. 

This was constituted in May, 1829. The constitutent 
members were seventeen in number. Their first pastor 
was Elder Michael Frederick, who accepted a call from 
the infant church, and labored with acceptance and suc- 
cess for four years. He was succeeded by the Rev. Jason 
Corwin, under whose ministry the church enjoyed a re- 
vival ; and about fifty were brought, through his instru- 
mentality, to unite with the visible body of Christ. This 
was in the winter of 1833-4. After two years of suc- 
cessful labor, he resigned. His successor was the Rev. 
Henry Robertson, who resigned at the expiration of eight 
months. In the autumn of 1837, the church had an 
extensive revival under the preaching of the Rev. Jacob 
Knapp, the evangelist, who spent about a month in 
Binghamton. During his stay, and immediately subse- 
quent, there were added to the church about seventy 
members. By this accession the church was rendered 
numerically strong, and independent, so far as foreign 
aid was concerned. The successor of Mr. Robertson was 
Elder Davis Dimmick, whose labors during his short 
pastorate of one year were very profitable to the church. 
The next pastor was the Rev. Wm. Storrs, who remained 
in that relation only one year. The Rev. James M. 
Coley succeeded Mr. Storrs in the pastoral relation, and 
held it for four years. His ministry was blessed to the 
edification of the church, and the ingathering of many. 
He was followed by the Rev. A. P. Mason, who labored 
with marked success for two years, when he resigned. 

The next pastor was the Rev. C. Darby. During his 
ministry the church suffered some reverses, but withal 
enjoyed such blessings, that they concluded to have their 
house, which had become too strait for their increasing 
numbers, enlarged. This w r as done by adding eighteen 
feet to the length, and building wings oh either side, at 
an expense of $1,800. 

Elder Darby resigned after serving the church two 
years, and was succeeded by the Rev. C. A. Fox. The 



Appendix. 253 

work of enlarging their church edifice, which was begun 
during the pastorate of Elder Darby, was finished in the 
time of Elder Fox, and the expense promptly met by the 
society. Mr. Fox labored to the general satisfaction for 
two years and six months. His successor was the Rev. 

5. M. Stimson, whose labors were signally blessed in 
bringing many into the fold of Christ. He gave up the 
pastoral care in August, 1859, after seven years of suc- 
cessful service. He was followed by the Rev. W. V. 
Garner, who entered upon his labors in November, 1859, 
and continued in office three years. Mr. Garner was 
succeeded by the Rev. Chas. Keyser,who entered upon 
his duties in 1863. Mr. Keyser labored with very gen- 
eral acceptance and success, and resigned after holding 
the office about four years. He was succeeded, after an 
interval, by the Rev. Lyman Wright, who commenced 
his labors Jan. 1, 1869. 

At that time, and mainly through the efforts of Mr. 
Wright, the society began to entertain the project for a 
new house of worship, which was greatly needed ; and a 
subscription for that object was opened July 26th, 1869. 
The church soon found that their new pastor not only 
abounded in the labors appropriate to his office, but that 
he was also an able financier and business man ; and 
ground was broken for the new church edifice April 21, 
1870. The transept containing ample Lecture and Sab- 
bath-school rooms, was first occupied and dedicated 
March 5, 1871. The auditorium was dedicated March 

6, 1872. 

The church edifice is regarded as the best and most 
thoroughly built of any in Binghamton. It was erected 
by "day's works," under the careful and skillful super- 
vision of Mr. Julius W. Fay, and is a fine example of 
the Romanesque style. It has a seating capacity of 
1,400, and the entire cost was $78,000. The church 
property is valued at $110,000. The present member- 
ship, according to the annual report of June, 1872, is 
six hundred and ninety-two. 

12 



254 Appendix. 

The pastors have succeeded one another in the follow- 
ing order, and time of service : 

Rev. 



Michael Frederick 


, 4 years. 


Rev 


. C. Darby, 2 years. 


Jason Corwin, 


2 " 


(< 


C. A. Fox, 2i " 


Henry Robertson, 


8 mo's. 


(< 


S. M. Stimson, 7 " 


Davis Dimmick, 


1 year. 


" 


W. V. Garner, 3 " 


William Storrs, 


1 " 


a 


Clias. Keyser, 4 " 


J. M. Coley, 


4 " 


(C 


Lyman Wright, 


A. P. Mason, 


2 " 




Present pastor. 



AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH. 

There are two small chapels owned and occupied by 
the colored people of Binghamton. The first, called 
Zion Church, is situated on Whitney street ; the second, 
called Bethel Church, on Susquehanna street. Zion 
Church was organized with thirty-six members in 1836, 
by the Eev. Henry Johnson, its first pastor. Their house 
of worship was erected in 1840 ; it will seat 125 persons, 
and cost $500. The church has a membership of about 
sixty. Their present pastor is the Rev. Stephen S. 
Wales. The church property is valued at $2,000. 

Bethel Church was organized with sixty-five members 
in 1838, by the Rev. Charles Spicer, its first pastor ; and 
their first house of worship was erected in the same year. 
The one they now occupy was built in 1842 ; it will seat 
350 persons, and cost $850. The church has a member- 
ship of about fifty, under the pastoral care of the Rev, 
John Frisbee. The church property is valued at $1,500. 

FREE METHODIST. 

The First Free Methodist Church of Binghamton was 
organized with ten members, by the Rev. B. T. Roberts, 
in 1862. Their house of worship is the one formerly 
occupied by the Second M. E. Society, and stands on 
the north-west corner of Court and Carroll streets. It 
was sold to the Free Methodist Society in March, 1867, 
for $3,600. It will seat nearly six "hundred persons. 
The Society numbers upwards of sixty, and has a church 
property valued at $12,500. The Rev. Daniel M. Sin- 
clair was the first pastor ; the Rev. C. K Southworth 



Appendix. 255 

was the second ; and the Rev. Benjamin "Winget is the 
present pastor. 

HORTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The North Presbyterian Church of Binghamton is an 
offshoot from the First Church. The Society had a legal 
existence as early as 1867 or 1868, and bought the site 
for their church on the corner of Chenango and Mun- 
sell streets. In the autumn and winter of 1869-70, a 
neat and commodious chapel of brick was erected on 
their lot ; it will seat 300 persons, and cost $7,000. The 
church was fully organized with fifty members, April 
17, 1870, and the Rev. C. Pierpont Coit installed as its 
first pastor in June following. The Society now num- 
bers upwards of 150 members ; has a flourishing Sab- 
bath School of over 200 pupils. The church property is 
valued at upwards of $10,000. 

HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 

This establishment was organized under the direction 
of the "Society of Mercy," an association of ladies, 
members of Christ Church in this city. _ Under their 
efficient management the city is divided into districts, 
and thoroughly visited. The poor who properly belong- 
in the County House are found out and sent there ; but 
those requiring temporary assistance, medical or hospital 
treatment, are provided for, either from or at the 
"house." From the annual report of the managers, ex- 
tending from Nov. 1, 1871, to Nov. 1, 1872, we take a 
few items, which will illustrate the character of the work 
which is performed by this eminently Christian institu- 
tion : 

" The number of beneficiaries that have received aid from the 
" House " during the past year is forty-one, 

" In the Hospital, eleven sick patients have been nursed, nine 
of whom left the "House" convalesent ; and two German stran- 
gers, without home or near friends, who came to us in the last 
stages of consumption, died, and were buried from the chapel. 
Eleven persons sought and obtained temporary refuge and shelter 
at the "House," under circumstances of need. Seventeen per- 



256 Appendix. 

sons, mainly widows with small children, were sheltered and main- 
tained during the rigor of the winter season. 

" Of the forty-one persons relieved, only nine have been able 
to offer us any compensation for our care. About half of the 
number assisted belonged to our own church ; the remainder to 
different religious denominations." 

This institution has been in operation two years. The 
first rector of the Chapel of the Good Shepherd was the 
Rev. Chas. T. Coer. The second rector was the Rev. 
Robert Paul. 

WEST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The West Presbyterian Church of Binghamton is also 
an offshoot from the First Church. It originated in the 
spring of 1871 ; and subsequently the society negotiated 
for the purchase of a site for a church edifice on North 
street, which will be on the south-west corner of North 
and Chapin streets, when the latter is extended to in- 
tersect the former. The present chapel building will 
form, when the design is finished, the rooms for weekly 
prayer meetings and sabbath school services. It is de- 
signed to furnish sittings for 450 persons ; and cost 
about $9,000. The society dedicated the chapel in Jan- 
uary, 1873 ; and began work with a membership of sixty- 
five, under the Rev. Samuel Dunham as pastor. 

BANKING CORPORATIONS. 

Binghamton has six Banks, including two Savings 
Banks. The National Broome County Bank, — Cyrus 
Strong, President, Tracy R. Morgan, Cashier. The 
bank is the successor and continuation of the Broome 
County Bank, which went into operation in 1831. The 
City National Bank of Binghamton, which was first 
opened as the Bank of Binghamton^ Dec. 2, 1852. Its 
officers are Chas. W. Sanford, President, and Wm. R. 
Osborn, Cashier. The Susquehanna Valley Bank, which 
was opened in the autumn of 1854. Its officers are 
Sherman D. Phelps, President, Jas. W. Manier, Cashier. 
The First National Bank, which was organized in De- 
cember, 1863, and went into operation February 27, 



Appendix, 257 

'1864. Abel Bennett, President, Ransom Balcom, Vice- 
President, George Pratt, Cashier. The Binghamton 
Savings Bank, Chas. W. Sanford, President, Wm. P. 
Pope and Wm. E. Taylor, Vice-Presidents, Harris CI, 
Rodgers, Treasurer. The Chenango Valley Savings 
Bank, Sherman D. Phelps, President, Richard Mather, 
Benj. N. Loomis, Vice-Presidents, Tracy R. Morgan, 
Treasurer. The Savings Banks went into operation in 
the winter of 1867. The banks of Binghamton have 
always been carefully conducted, affording to the bus- 
iness community that kind of accommodation which the 
wants of legitimate business require ; and have conse- 
quently encountered the panics, pressures, and other 
commercial emergencies through which the country has 
passed, with credit and integrity unimpaired. 

AN EARLY SETTLER. 

Amasa Leonard, son of Capt. Joseph Leonard, died 
in Binghamton, July 20, 1867, in the 69th year of his 
age. He was the first white child born in this county. 
His father, at the time of the Wyoming massacre, suc- 
ceeded in making his escape to the hills, where he re- 
mained concealed for some time. He afterwards ascend- 
ed the Susquehanna to its confluence with the Chenango, 
and thence up the Chenango to the spot where he finally 
settled, adjoining what is now known as the Broome 
County Farm, where he lived until the time of his death, 
and where his son Amasa was born Sept. 23, 1788. 

THE TWIN ELMS — AN INCIDENT IN THE EARLY HIS- 
TORY OF BINGHAMTON. 

Before a tree had been cut down within a mile of 
where the County Court House now stands, there was a 
village called "Chenang Pint," at the foot of Mount 
Prospect, consisting of a tavern, store, distillery, print- 
ing office, shops and dwellings. The highway through 
it, from the east, crossed the river by a ford-way near 
the Fair Grounds, and ran west from the village along 
what is now Prospect street. 



258 Appendix. 

The bar-rooms then were the head-quarters for news. 
One day, while a group were gathered to counsel, in 
stepped a young man they called "Josh," (General 
Joshua Whitney.) Of course the news was the first 
inquiry. Whitney informed them that he had been east, 
and had seen Elmendorf, who had the charter for build- 
ing a bridge across the Chenango, and he had learned 
exactly where he was going to locate it ; and says he, 
" Boys you had better stop building here, the village 
will be built down where the bridge is built." They all 
fell in with the suggestion, and fixed upon a "chopping 
bee " for the next day, to make the first opening. 

In the morning, Joshua Whitney, Selah Squires, 
(grandfather of Frederick Lewis of this city,) and four 
others, making six men in all, stepped into a canoe with 
their axes, and floated down the river. They tied their 
canoe to a beautiful elm tree standing on the east bank 
of the river, and passing through the brush, across a 
narrow flat, and up a steep bank, they found, some re- 
cently marked trees. Whitney says, " Here is the spot. " 
They cut an opening of less than an acre, on which Gen- 
eral Whitney subsequently built his dwelling house, and 
Lewis Keeler a hotel, where the Cafl'erty House now 
stands, on the south-east corner of Court and Water 
streets. 

After the day's work, the party returned to their canoe. 
While one was getting it ready, young Squires say§, 
' ' Boys look over the other side ; there is another elm 
just like this, exactly opposite — they are twins." Thus 
took place the christening of the "Twin Elms" in the 
great cathedral of nature, where our beautiful city now 
stands; and the man still lives (1873) who gave the 
name. 

Afterward, when inquiry was made as to where the 
new bridge was. to be located, the answer was "Downi 
toward ' the Point,' a few feet above the ' Twin Elms.' '•' 
The bridge was subsequently built in 1807, and for years- 
afterwards those two noble trees were the pride of ouri 
citizens, attracting the admiration of every beholder. 



Appendix, 259 

The bank on which the eastern elm was standing, 
gradually yielded to the action of floods and ice-jams, 
and the stately tree becoming undermined, began to lean 
heavily toward the stream. As this action went on in 
successive years, dead branches, like gray hairs, began to 
appear in the top ; it bowed its head lower and lower ; 
and finally loosing its hold of the treacherous bank, it. 
bade adieu to its twin-brother opposite, and was swept 
away in the great freshet of 1865. 

The survivor yet stands, a splendid specimen of the 
grand old elm, in all the beauty and vigor of youth, with 
its long arms extended, and shading nearly half an acre 
— bending gracefully to the ground, or reaching out their 
finger-tips to the railing of the bridge, as if to shake 
hands with old acquaintances of fifty years standing.* 

*This account of the Twin Elms is taken, with slight modifica- 
tions, from the Binghamton Times of June 19th, 1873, in which 
the writer appeals to the Common Council to save this old patri- 
arch from a threatened destruction. 




BROOME COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE 
REBELLION. 



In closing this Appendix it was thought proper to 
give a list, as far as could be ascertained, of the soldiers 
who went out from Broome County to engage in the 
great struggle for national existence, through which our 
country was called to pass during the four years begin- 
ing with April, 1861. 

Immediately on receipt of the proclamation of Presi- 
dent Lincoln, calling for 75,000 men, Col. Jacob C. 
Kobie opened an office for enrolling volunteers. As 
the result of this action, three companies were formed, 
which became Companies C, D and F, in the 27th Reg- 
iment of New York (foot) Volunteers, commanded by 
Colonel (afterwards General) He^ t ry W. Slocum. The 
mustering in of this regiment dated from May 21st, 
1861. Time, two years. Joseph J. Bartlett was the 
first Captain of Co. C, but was chosen Major at Elmira, 
and during the war was promoted to be Brig. General. 
COMPANY C. 
Edward L. Lewis, Captain. Eri S. Watson, Corporal. 

Charles A. Wells, Lieut. Frederick L. Gleason, " 

George H. Hurd, Ensign. Theodore M. Leonard," 

Eugene M. Davis, Serg. Martin H. Adams, " 

George W. Dunn, f * Samuel D. Crumb, Musician. 

James M. Watson, " Lewis W. Chichester, "■ 

John E. Ronk, " 

PRIVATES. 

Andrus, George M. Brown, Simeon 

Austin, William C, Bailey, Alexander 

Able, Orbul D. Barnes, William 

Bacon, Orville Boy den, John 

Bowker, William A. Blair, Morris 

Benson, Henry N. Ballard, Lewis M. 

Butler, John Barwise, James 

Buther, John W. Bartholomew, James 

Butler, George Case, Girard 

Black, Sherlock F. Cafferty, Edward M. 



Appendix. 



261 



Coe, John 
Coe, Henry 
Carman. Charles 
Dempsey, Claud 
Dorn, John 
Durand, Frederick 
Driscoll, Michael 
Davis, George 
Eastbarook, Samuel 
Fanning, Geo. W. Ford 
French, Jonathan 
Gillick, Thomas H. 
Green, Martin 
Grout, Simeon 
Harmon, Orton 
Hill, John 
Hokirk, Oliver 
Hokirk, George 
Hanji, Joseph 
Johnson, Levi R. 
Jay, William S. 
King, James 
Lambert, Clark 



Larkin, Daniel W. 
Maine, Cornelius W. 
Millmore, Patrick 
Miller, Norman S. 
Martin, Robert 
Mix, Gilbert 
Perry, Charles H. 
Parker, William H. 
Richmond, Edwin S. 
Sterling, Melvin F. 
Schramm, Charles B. 
Short, Joseph 
Twichell, Theodore 
Tompkins, William W. 
Tompkins, Thomas W. 
Taft, Alonzo C. 
Van Alstine, William H. 
Williams, Joshua 
Warner, Samuel H. 
Whitman, Albert G. 
Whitney, Franklin, Jr. 
Yenny, Charles 



COMPANY D. 



Hiram C. Rodgers, Captain. 
Henry C. Jackson, Lieut. 
Asa Park, Ensign. 
William H. Bartram, Serg. 
Edward Comstock, " 

George Williamson, " 
Albert G. Northrup, " 



William W. Spencer, Corporal. 
John L. Bailey, " 

Charles B. Fairchild, 
Edward M. Watson, 
William J. Rundell, Musician. 
Charles Van Horn, " 



PRIVATES. 



Armstrong, Albert D. 
Bolles, William D. 
Burdge, Irving S. 
Bently, Francis 
Brainard, William H. 
Burrows, John W. 
Burrows, Stewart A. 
Canoll, Heber 
Cone, Clarke J. 
Coleman, Frank 
Crocker, Henry M. 
Cole, Russell S. 
Coon, James 
Dickson, George 
Durfee, Chauncey J. 



Dickinson, Reuben H. 
Elliott, Charles N. 
Fairchild, C. Hopkins. 
Fagan, Patrick 
Francisco, Frank 
Fowler, Frederick 
Finch, Abial T. 
Gage, Aaron W. 
Gray, William H. 
Gorman, Matthias 
Grimes, Frank 
Hogan, John H. 
Hedden, George 
Howard, Chester 
Harding, Charles A. 



262 



Appendix. 



Harding', Henry A. 
Kilmer, Oliver A. 
Kirby, James P. 
Lay, William H. 
Lester, James 
McLaughlin, John 
Munroe, Thaddeus 
McKune, Sidney A. 
Meacham, Calvin 
Newman, Melvin A 
Osborn, Joseph R. 
Paddleford, Newel 
Paddleford, Zael 
Piatt, Charles W. 
Pardee, Cyrus T. 
Payne, Deloss 
Phelps, Oscar 
Reid, Edwin S. 
Spencer, Franklin 



S. 



Spencer, Nelson 
Sampson, William P. 
Spendley, William J. 
Sturdevant, Stephen A. 
Slater, Charles 
Snedaker, James V. 
Thompson, Charles 
Tripp, Joseph T. 
Tyler, Albert M. 
Traill, William 
Van Auken, Gideon 
Williams, Elijah P. 
Wilson, Benton N. 
Webber, Charles 
Wilkins, John 
Wilcox, George L. 
Winters, Charles 
Walton, Lewis 



COMPANY F. 



Peter Jay, Captain. 
William A. Sheldon, Lieut. 
LaFayette Cross, Ensign. 
Davalson P. Benedict, Serg. 
Frank E. Northrup, " 
Luther N. Hubbard, " 



Joseph L. Ross, Serg. 
George H. Roman, Corporal. 
Frederick Randall, " 
Harvey D. Whiting, " 
John C. June, " 

Franklin French, Musician, 



PRIVATES. 



Barry, James 
Benedict, LaFayette 
Benedict, Ira C. 
Beckford, George W. 
Bowker, Charles A. 
Brown, Hiram, Jr. 
Bradbury, Sanford 
Butts, Charles W. 
Burger, Charles 
Cone, Jesse P. 
Cory, Henry 
Corson, Nicholson A, 
Conklin, Owen D. 
Cresson, Miles 
Curran, William B, 
Cummings, Benjamin 
Davis, Joseph L. 
Darling, Solomon 
Dawson, Lee F. 
Dunning, James L, 



Dunning, John 
Durfee, James 
Evans, Charles E. 
Evans, James H. 
Finch, George W. 
Furguson, John R. 
Gerig, Harrison 
Gorman, Nathaniel 
Guiles, Harrison 
Handy, Charles T. 
Hayes, Timothy 
Hawkins, Daniel 
Holland, Charles 
Holland, Harlan 
Houlihan, Patrick 
Howland, W^arren, 2d 
Hysard, John 
Kearn, John 
Kelly, Thomas 
Kemery, John N. 



Appendix. 



263 



Lake, Joseph 
Lander, Oscar 
Lester, David A. 
Lobdell, Rosander F. 
McAvoy, Joseph H. 
Miller, Charles 
Osborn, William L. 
Ostrander, J. Washington 
Price, Melvin J. 
Redfield, Henry 
Reynolds, James D. 
Rogers, Frank B. 
Rood, Andrew- 
Rose, Josiah H. 
Slater, Timothy S. 
Snell, Archibald, Jr. 



Spencer, James 
Thorp, Lucius 
Turner, David, M. 
Truesdall, Rollin B. 
Van Valkenburgh, Wm. S, 
Walker, David 
Warner, Edgar H. 
Waterman, Frederick ^" 
Watrous, Edwin M. 
Welch, Albert 
Westervelt, William B. 
Wilbur, Edwin J. 
Williams, Henry 
Witherell, Daniel W. 
Wright, Reuben A. 
Yates, Theodore H. 



Detachment of recruits for the 27th Regiment of New 
York Volunteers, commanded by Joseph J. Bartlett, 
mustered into the service of the United States Dec. 17th, 
1861 — Lieut. J. A. Hamilton, commanding the detach- 
ment. 

Bartlett, Charles Maltbri, Albert B. 

Dunn, John N. Spear, Jacob 

Dunn, James A. Wood, Nicholas R. 

Hadley, Oscar 

The 89th Regiment of New York Volunteers was 
mustered into service in December, 1861. Four Com- 
panies, B, F, Gr and K were made up of men generally 
from Broome County. 



Harrison S. Fairchild, Colonel. 
Jacob C. Robie, Lieut. " 
Daniel T. Everts, Major. 
John E. Shepard, Adjutant. 



Cornelius H. Webster, Qr. M. 
Truman H. Squire, Surgeon. 
Nathaniel E. Pierson, Ass't Sur. 
Gerrit Van Ingen, Serg. Maj. 



COMPANY B. 



James Hazley, Captain. 
Nathan A. Newton, 1st Lieut. 
Chauncy J. Reed, 2d Lieut. 
David C. Durand, Serg. 
Benjamin F. Helley, " 
George C. Baker, " 
Needick Adam, 
Ira Scriver, " 

William E. Evans, Corporal. 
Richard Downs, " 



Thomas Groody, Corporal. 
Charles L. Campbell, 
Thomas Durfee, 
Charles Stringham, 
George A. Grove, 
Benjamin F. Leech, 
Samuel D. Crumb, Musician. 
John E. Manderville, " 
Jacob Van Auken, Wagoner. 



264 



Appendix. 



PRIVATES. 



Anson, Leonard 
Bartlett, Lewis Chester, 
Burr, James S. 
Badger, Byron M. 
Beardsley, John W. 
Brown, Frederick 
Brown, Andrew J. 
Bolles, Stephen H. 
Bovee, Joseph B. 
Bishop, Edward B. 
Busby, James E. 
Baker, Chauncy 
Bisley, William 
Berger, Jacob 
Cameron, Jehiel 
Curtis, AzorM. 
Crane, Robert W. 
Clyde, Alfred 
Cook, Sherman N. 
Carhart, George W. 
Cagdin, Stephen D. 
Cluen, John 
Cash, Uriah W. 
Cassidy, John 
Cafferty, Edward M. 
Delano, Martin 
Denison, Daniel 
Davis, Edson A. 
Duel, Seneca 
Francisco, Reed F. 
Fisher, William C. 
Gould, Hiram D. 
Groody, James 



Gray, Arthur O. 
Hull, William H. 
Harris, David 
Hunt, John P. 
Hamilton, William 
Kay, John 
Lincoln, David 
Landon, Hiram D. 
Lee, Barney 
Maunshoff, John 
Munn, John W. 
Mullon, James 
O'Conner, James 
O'Clary, Francis 
Portsher, Jacob 
Pierson, Lewis M. 
Pithie, Charles 
Powers, William T. 
Pratt, Friend 
Patterson, David A. 
Pierce, Edward M. 
Reed, Chauncey J. 
Raunny, Oliver 
Rulifson, John W. 
Rockwell, John W. 
Stringham, George W. 
Spahn, John 
Sweet, John H. 
Smith, Richard 
Towner, Ernest F. 
Vanderburgh, Henry W. 
Waldron, Jacob H. 
Williams, Charles H. 



Privates in Companies D and E from Binghamton 
COMPANY D. COMPANY E. 

Brady, John Ball, Charles 

Fitzgibbons, Patrick 
Gommell, David 

Company E came from Oxford and Norwich. 



Appendix. 



205 



COMPANY F. 



Robert Brown, Captain. 
Moses Puffer, 1st Lieut. 
William N. Benedict, 2d Lieut. 
Francis Berghardt, Serg. 
Geo. H. Baldwin, Jr. , " 
Robert Brown, " 

Charles E. Booth, 
James E. Northrup, " 
Oliver Tyler, Corporal. 

Christopher Hamilton, " 



Owen Dimick, Corporal. 
Barney Terwiliger, 
Peter H. Pierson, 
Hervey L. How, 
Denis Lewis, 
Gideon D. Howard, 
Frederick Fenner, Musician. 
James Vanderburgh, " 
William N. Benson, Wagoner, 



PRIVATES. 



Adams, John Q. 
Alcott, James B. 
Allen, James, Jr. 
Atwater, William A. 
Arnott, George C. 
Brown, Parley M. 
Bowker, George W.- 
Brown, James 
Bartholomew, Andrew J. 
Bennett, Debois 
Bixby, LaFayette 
Covey, John M. 
Culver, Daniel D. 
Courtney, Charles I. 
Councilman, Truman 
Cleveland, Ezra 
Culver, Lewis C. 
Dimick, Ogden 
Dewey, George I. 
Dyer, Jackson 
Dibble, George W, 
English, George 
Foot, Enos B. 
French, Charles H. 
Foster, John 
Fiske, Charles 
Fosgafce, Blanchard M. 
Gray, Richard G. 
Grey, Heman C. 
Heath, Sidney 
Handy, Milvin 
Harrington, Henry 
Holland, Charles H, 
Hall, Jerome 
How, Jerome 
Johnson, Daniel 
Johnson, Robert L, 



Jefferd, Uriah A. 
King, Jacob 
Livermore, William B. 
Monroe, Henry V. 
Marvin, Seth 
Mead, Gideon 
Norton, Henry H. 
Norton, Asel H. 
Nicholas, George L. 
Nash, Martin M. 
Oliver, Richard A. 
Oliver, Orville P. 
Pierce, George F. 
Rooks, Samuel 
Rensller, William C, 
Reed, Almon L. 
Stiles, Charles 
Sheppard, Martin 
Slade, George H. 
Stephens, Eli 
Smith, Rufus C. 
Smith, Henry D. 
Sheppard, Alexander 0. 
Sherwood, George 
Self, William 
Taft, Charles H. 
Trafford, James H. 
Trafford, Elias M. 
Tompkins, Elias B. 
Vanderburgh, Stephen S. 
Utter, William 
Wright, Edward G. 
Wheeler, George A. 
Warner, Phineas H. 
Walker, Robert 
Yarns, Consider M. 
Youngs, Frederick [13 



Zi>t> 



Appendix, 



COMPANY G. 



Seymour L. J add, Captain. 

Edward M. Bloomer. 1st Lieut, 

Frederick Davenport, 2d Lieut 

Edward A. Babcoek, Serg. 

Calvin Sweet, 

Irvin A. String-ham, " 

Gabriel C Hulse, " 

Lewis B. Heath, 

John B„ Russell „ Corporal. 

Thomas H. Piersall, " 

PRIV 

Andrews, Joseph E, 
Alden, Gilead S. 
Ayres, Cuanogh 
Benn, Charles 
Brown, Thomas 
Blatchley, Andrew A. 
Benjamin, Lathrop 
Baker, Horace 
Bird, Benjamin 
Bird, Warren E. 
Buchanan, James H. 
Crofut, Charles K„ 
Chase, Jairus S. 
Cresson, Milton 
Doolittle, Charles L. 
Dewey, Martin M. 
Draper, George W. 
Doolittle, Hervey I. 
Doolittle, Nelson E. 
Doolittle, Stephen G. 
Edson, Daniel W. 
Fairchild, Wiley 
Ford, Alvarado 
Frost, Ransom H„ 
Frost, Merritt C. 
Grodevant, Phillip 
Gilbert, DeWitt 
Garlic, Charles E. 
Howell, Isaac N„ 
Haines, Hobart 
Hupman, Eli 
Hupman, Charles H. 
Hull, Robert H. 
Hupman, George S. 
Halloed, Ralph 



Franklin S. Smith, Corporal 

Riley D. Heath, 

Amos C. Hunt, 

William Dusenbury, 

William O. Moore, 

Auburt Hoadley, 

John M. Knowlton, Musician, 

William S. Bullock, 

John M, Wilds, Wagoner. 



ATES. 



Hotchkiss, Leroy E. 
Haines, George W. 
Ives, Joshua 
Judd, John D. 
Judd, Jerome B. 
Kirby, James W. 
Morse, Uri E. 
Morton, William F. 
Mayo, George 
Morse, Henry E. 
Marshall, William D. 
Moore, Whitney A. 
Mayo, Willard H. H, 
Morse, Milo E. 
Page, Whitney 
Parsons, Simon A. 
Porter, Edward 
Plunkett, Franklin 
Perkins, William 
Piper, Hampton L. 
Russell, Pliny A. 
Russell, Benjamin P. 
Smith, James 
Swagart, Joseph W. 
Springsteen, Urial 
Spearbeck, Sanford L. 
Springsteen, Robert 
Stephens, Abisha 
Smith, Ezra P. 
Tompkins, Milton I. 
Tompkins, L. William 
Tiel, Elmore 
Toby, John L, 
Twitchell, Samuel R a 
Welton, Warren 



Appendix. 



M7 



Watrous, James E. 
White, Joseph B, 
Warner, George R 



Wooster, Uri T. 
Welton, Wiliiam H. 
Wainer, Grover 



COMPANY H, 



John B, Van Name, Captain, 
Wel'ngton M. Lewis, 1st Lieut, 
Almon Morris, 2d Lieut. 
William H, French,. Serg. 
Charles H. Amsbry, " 
Luther A. Johnson, " 
James M, Mayhew, ** 
Charles W, Pitts, 
Elijah Staats, Corporal, 
Chandler T, Preston, V 



Geo. W. Tillotson, Corporal 

Walter Riddle, 

John Davis, Jr,, 

Oliver Morris, 

Henry Talmadge, 

Linus Morse, 

George Ladue, Musician, 

Jonathan Brown, <( 

Asel M, LaBarron, Wagoner 



Bacon, Franklin 
Bacon, Ichabod E. 
Bacon, Manly M. 
Brakes, Frank D. 
Clark, Lewis 
Crowe, John 
Crawford, Lyman 
Colt, Samuel C. 
Collar, Moses W. 
Cassady, James 
Davis, Leroy 
Davis, Moses 
Davis, Henry 
Davis, Mills 
Davis, Lewis B. 
Draines, Deniel D. 
Durfee, George C. 
Drum, William A. 
Edson, James 
Edson, Seth 
Edwards, John P. 
Edney, George A. 
Flint, Jeremiah 
Flint, Lorenzo 
Groves, James H. 
Harper, Barton P. 
Hakes, Ralsey W. 
Hayes, John 
Haxton, Abram 
Hardy, Benjamin 
Kain, Lawrence 



PRIVATES, 



Ludwig, Jacob P. 
Lewis, Leonard 
Livingston, Peter 
McNamara, Lewis 
Meek, Charles L, 
Morse, Justin 
Murphey, John A, 
Oliver, William 
Osborn, William W. 
Osborn, Joseph R. 
Palmer, William R. 
Prentice, Charles H. 
Perry, William H. 
Pingru, Augustus W. 
Quigley, Michael N. 
Reder, Samuel 
Rhoades, David I. 
Slater, Israel 
Scovel, Stephen M. 
Springsteen, William I. 
Springsteen, Simeon 
Savine, John W, 
Smith, Jehiel 
Sneeden, Moses 
Staats, John V. 
Snook, Mathew 
Terwilliger, George 
Tuller, Charles 
Tuttle, Theodore F 
Tyler, James 
Talmadge, David 



268 



Appendix. 



Utter, William H. 
Verrill, Joseph 
Wilson, Henry 3, 



Winters, Henry 
Weaver, Dudley R, 
Warner, Hoyt 



COMPANY K. 



Frank Burt, Captain. 
Oliver P. Harding', 1st Lieut. 
Frank W. Tremain, 2d Lieut. 
Marvin Watrous, Serg. 
Albert D. Burt, 
Benjamin Covert " 
William J. Place, " 
George Eaglesfield, ■' 
Noah Bisbee, Corporal. 
William Masten, " 



Henry Aldrich, Corporal, 

William N. Webb, 

Richard J. Nichols, 

George W. Ferons, 

Oliver W. Meaker, 

Christopher Knight, 

Charles A. Bogardus, Musician 

Job A. Knapp, 

Moeee Swift, Wagoner. 



PRIVATES, 



Atwell, Paul 
Atwell, Elijah 
Bogart, Henry L. 
Brown, Almiron 
Bagley, Edgar 
Ball, Charles A. 
Crooker, Henry B. 
Crooker, George F. 
Crocker, Eli 
Cronk, Charles 
Court, Abram 
Dunam, Harrison 
Dunam, Monsons L. 
Englis, George M. 
Fitch, Samuel A. 
Granness, Marshall 
Gryman, Reuben 
Gallowar, Stephen B, 
Hughs, LaFayette 
Hughs, Isaac 
Hull, Tompkins 
Holmes, William H. 
Hurlburt, George H. 
Howard, Asa L. 
Johnson, Henry K. 
Johnson, William H. 
Jordon, George 
Kincaid, John 
Kerr, James 
Love, Thomas 
Lawson, Ezra 
Lacy, Silas W. 



Masten, Joseph P. 
Masten, Daniel D. 
Meaker, Andrew 
Meaker, Nelson W. 
Moore, Wilburt 
Meaker, Hiram G. 
Mills, Lyman S. 
McKinne, Gilbert A. 
Phinney, Martin V. 
Pencil, William N. 
Russell, Perry 
Ransom, Ambrose 
Ronkles, Charles F. 
Robinson, Leander S. 
Smythe, William F, 
Simpson, Lewis L, 
Scofield, George 
Swan, Charles 
Thompson, Joseph F. 
Tarbox, George 
Taylor, James C. 
Thurston, Frederick 
Van Horn, George 
Vridenberg, William 
Williams, Monroe 
Wilkinson, Levi B. 
Wilbur, Henry H. 
Welch, Ezeck 
Welch, Harvey 
Wilton, John T. 
Winters, Daniel C. 



Appe7idix. 



269 



109th REGIMENT. 



Benjamin F. Tracy, Colonel. 
Isaac S. Catlin, Lieut. " 
Philo B. Stilson, Major. 
Peter W. Hopkins, Adjutant. 
James S. Thurston, Qr. Mast. 
Albert Wyatt, Chaplain. 



Wm. E. Johnson, 1st Asst. Sur, 
S. H. French, 2d Asst. Surg. 
Marshall Waterfield,Serg.Maj, 
Wm. A. Ring, Qr. Mast. Serg. 
Jesse A. Ashley, Com. Serg. 



COMPANY B. 



Edward L. Ballard, Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 



Ballard, Geo. W. 
Ballard, John O. 

Hinds, James G. 



Ballard, Gardner 



COMPANY C. 



Hinds, James H. 



COMPANY D. 



Geo. W. Dunn, Captain. 

William Benedict, 1st Lieut. 

R. H. Johnson, 2d Lieut. 

J. H. Watrous, Serg. 

Jas. M. Bullis, 

W. Gus Chittenden, " 

Fred. Ogden, " 

L. C. Chittenden, ';' 

C. M. Pomeroy, Corporal. 

C. W. Brown, 



Sam'l Stone, Corporal. 

Alexander Patten,' 

Lewis Rittenburg,' 

Henry Williams, 

Philo* P. Howe, 

Wm. H. Wildar, ' 

August Gemimhardt, Musician. 

Richard Monroe, 

Aaron Finch, Wagoner. 



PRIVATES. 



Adams, Alanson A. 
Austin, Wm. H. 
Barlow, Marshall 
Raxter, Charles H. 
Bassett, John 
Brown, John 
Brezzee, Geo. 
Butts, William C. 
Butts, Daniel D. 
Bunker, James 
Carman, Joseph S. 
Call, Hiram 
Carl, William 
Church, Chas. H. 
Clark, William H. 
Cook, Edward G. 
Cronk, Allen H. 
Crandal, L. S. 
De Hardt, Harrison 



Disbrow, Alexander 
Dikerman, James N. 
Duffee, John 
Egar, James 
Ellis, Myron 
Evans, Edward 
Ferris, Richard 
Finch, Ezekiel 
Ganoung, David R, 
Gardner, Lewis A, 
Gordon, Leroy 
Guy, James D. 
Hayes, Mervillan 
Hecox, Alanson 
Horton, Arnold D. 
Holland, Lawrence 
Hummister, Burritt 
Isbel, Geo. R. 
Johnson, I. S, 



270 



Appendix, 



Kirby, John 
Kirby, H. M. 
Kilmer, Lorenzo 
Lester, Haviland 
Lewis, A. D. 
Morey, Warren 
Morey, Noyes 
Murdock, Andrew 
Murphy, Martin 
Newton, F. E. 
Olds, Spencer 
Outterson, John 
Parsons, Geo. L. 
Peck, A. L. 
Pier son, William 
Prentice, Elias 
Prentice, Ansel 
Reynolds, George 
Rindge, Fernando 
Rodgers, Jeremiah 
Scovill, Standly 
Sharp, Ichabod 



Stone, Winfield S. 
Stone, James 
Stanley, Addison 
Stephens, Urbane S. 
Stoddard, N. D. 
Taft, Seymour S. 
Taft, M. S. 
Tyler, Eugene A. 
Tyler, John W. 
Utter, Peter 
Vandeburg, Darwin F. 
Vantolle, Robert 
Vancuren, Jesse 
Vroman, Geo. L. 
Watrous, S. N. 
Waterman, William H. 
Went worth, Frank D. 
Whitbeck, Orton 
Wildey, Monroe E. 
Wilder, Perry 
Wilber, Daniel 
Williams, Thomas 



COMPANY E. 



Edward L. Lewis, Captain. 
Moses B. Robbins, Lieut. 
Robert McChristian, " 
Matthew Watson, Serg. 
John Marquarted, " 
Heber Canoll, " 

Julius T. Gleason, " 
Charles A. Perry, il 
William Osborn, Corporal. 
Charles Weaver, " 



Chas. W. Underwood, Corp. 
Marcus M. Pierce, 
James D. Gardinier, " 
Milton D. Whittaker, 
Preston J. Swan, 
Edward Brigham, " 

Edward W. Cornish, Musician. 
Andrew J. Wheaton, " 
William A. Corry, Wagoner. 



PRIVATES. 



Adams, Henry S. 
Alexander, James F. 
Aldrich, Coles B. 
Ashley, Jesse A. 
Bacon, George 
Burrows, Charles A. 
Bogart, Henry V. 
Bacon, Charles N. 
Blowers, Lyman 
Burrows, Daniel E. 
Booth, Larry D, 
Bartholomew, Robert 
Chase, Edwin E. 



Castle, Austin 
Capron, Otis 
Cline, Wesley 
Coon, Philip H. 
Cine, Abraham, Jr. 
Cummings, Martin 
Croft, William 
Cronk, Joseph 
Capron, Gilbert F. 
Dickinson, Charles 
Dibble, Robert B. 
Ellis, John P. 
Elwell, William 



Appendix, 



271 



Edich, Jacob F. 
Fowler, Henry L. 
Gregory, George S. 
Heath, Alva 
Hardendorf, Riol D. 
Hall, John 
Hall, Charles 
Hedglin, Isaac 
Huntly, Hiram H. 
Johnson, George W. 
King, George W. 
Lamb, Wm. W. 
Myers, Frank 
Miller, William A. 
MacAdam, John 
Mclntyre, Ebenezer 
Millham, Oliver N. 
Mitchell, Warren S. 
Monroe, Marvin 
MacClure, George W 
Manier, Henry J. 
Merrill, David W. 
MacClure, Henry, Jr. 
Manning, Hiram 
McLaury, John 
McDaniel, John 
Pencil, Charles H, 
Pollard, Ira J, 



Rollins, Hubbard 
Remele, David 
Remele, Aaron N. 
Robinson, John A. 
Robinson, Edward 
Russell, Benjamin R. 
Swan, Charles 
Shaw, Horace 
Simpkins, Louis J. 
Seely, Gilbert B. 
Stratton, Hiram R. 
Tripp, Philip W. 
Thompson, Daniel E. 
Tarbox, Cyrus P. 
Twitchell, Jerome 
Thorp, Oliver 
Woolsey, Edgar 
Wryant, Nathaniel 
Williams, James M„ 
Wilbur, William I. 
Winship, Thomas J. 
Wilbur, Perry P. 
Wilbur, Stephen D. 
Weed, Harvey H. 
Whittaker, Thomas J. 
Whittaker, Nelson W. 
Young, Thomas 
Young, Andrew 



The following were enrolled at Binghamton in other 
Companies of the 109th Regiment, as designated : 



COMPANY H. 



Nathan W. Chandler, lst.Serg, 
Squire D. Gager, Corporal. 



Austin W. Alvord, Captain 
Evan R. Jones, 1st Lieut. 
John S. Giles, 2d Lieut. 

PRIVATES. 

Allen, Warren Gale, William 

Anthemy, William Hull, Chauncey 

Brown, David Hodges, Orson 

Chase, Charles Johnson, Watson 

Dyer, Charles Leach, Henry 

Dyer, Peter Marshall, Lienchan H 

Engle, Jacob Mellin, David C. 

Gager, Ira E. Pitcher, John W. 

Grange, Thomas Potter, Levi E. 

Grange, William Sadlemire, Jacob 



272 



Appendix. 



Scoville, Leroy W. 
Shaw, Philetus M. 
Spatt, Andrew J. 
Thornton, Charles 
Van Glone, Abrani 



Van Glone, Michael 
Whittimore, Benjamin 
West, Peter B. 
Mallory, John 
Cary, James 



COMPANY I. 
Hazard, Almerin D. Shuman, James A. 

Richards, Fernando 

COMPANY K. 

George N. Drake, Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 

Allen, Caleb M. Georgia, Edw. E. 

Crandall, Albert W. Rice, Erastus 

137th REGIMENT. 

S. M. Ward, 1st Ass't Surg. 



David Ireland, Colonel. 
Koert S. VanVoorhees, Lt. Col. 
Westel Willoughby, Major. 
Charles E. Barto, Adjutant. 
Edward B. Stephens, Qr. Mast. 
John M. Farrington, Surgeon. 



Jos. B. Abbott, Jr., Serg. Maj. 
Frederic W. Burton, Q. M. Ser. 
Hiram W. Bishop, Hosp. Stew. 
John J. Cantine, Com'y Serg. 
Albert G. Spafford, Pay Mast. 



COMPANY A. 



Frederick A. Stoddard, Capt. 
George C. Owen, 1st Lieut. 
Frederick M. Hallock, 2d Lieut 
Russell B. Miriam, Serg. 
Dennison E. Vinning, 
Warren E. Robinson, ' 
William Humphrey, ' 
Spencer Clark, 
James Watrous, Corporal 
Jacob C. Butcher, " 

PR] \"1\ 

Burrows, Squires S. 
Burrows, James A. 
Bridgman, Edward M. 
Broughton, George M. 
Brasee, David 
Babcock, Henry H. 
Couch, Elijah S. 
Craver, Albert 
Craver, Marshall 
Donley, Charles A. 
Craver, Isaac 



Stephen D. Merrihew, Corp. 

Leonard Durham, 

Peter Vosburg, 

Lucian Vinning, 

Christian Neff, 

John J. Boker, 

Clarendon B. Taft, Musician. 

Levi Perce, 

William N. Floyd, Wagoner, 



Coles, Jacob B. 
Carman, Alexander 
Dorman, John 
Egan, John P. 
English, Oliver 
Fox, Charles F. 
Giles, Christopher 
Giles, Francis 
Griffith, Joseph P. 
Grow, Abraham 
Goble, William A. 



Appendix. 



273 



Holland, John 
Holland, Andrew 
Heath, Dennis 
House, Alfred 
Hempsted, David 
Hall, Richard 
Hall, Melville R. 
Harder, Elias 
Hine, Henry N. 
Hellygus, Jacob 
Hill, Peter 
Hogan, Daniel 
Ingham, Martin L. 
Jaycox, Lewis 
Jones, Charles 
Krofft, Geerge W. 
Krofft, Isaac 
Loffin, Clark W, . 
Luscomb, Francis C. 
Luscomb, Robert A. 
Leonard, William O. 
McClure, William H. 
McCugh, Charles 
Maffatt, Orin 
Marks, Philander 
Monroe, Richard 
Miller, Joseph S. 
Newlove, John 
Plain, William H„ 
Peck, Samuel 



Potts, Thomas 
Palmatier, Nelson L, 
Prentice, Daniel 
Potts, Jacob E. 
Reynolds, William G , 
Rich, John H. 
Rosse, Edward A. 
Rush, John D. 
Rector, Edward A. 
Rush, Richard W. 
Rush, William D. 
Salisbury, Win. B, 
Salisbury, Leander Ma 
Slack, Harrison 
Sweet, Edward 
Stiles, Selden 
Stiles, Turner 
Silvernail, John 
Strong, Beni J. 
Swift, Dean 
Travis, Sylvanus 
Travis, John C. 
Travis, Daniel 
Thompson, Jacob 
Thornton, Amos 
Tabor, Pardon 
Upthergrove, Charles 
Wilber, Hiram 
Whittaker, George C. 
Youngs, James E„ 



COMPANY B. 



Henry H. Davis, Captain. 
Asa C. Gale, 1st Lieut. 
Owen J. Sweet, 2d Lieut. 
Samuel A. Smith, Serg. 
Charles H. Williams, " 
Benjamin F. Newman, " 
Harper G. Andrews, " 
Ransom Y. Hazard, " 
Hiram C. Hazard, Corporal. 



William M. Spoor, Corporal. 
Geo. W. Buchanan, " 
George Burge, 
Daniel W. Cline, 
Espy C. Stuart, 
Benjamin F. Mason, 
Cornelius Acley, 
Francis Bulison, Musician. 
Emmet L. Poter, Wagoner, 



PRIVATES. 



Barney, Austin 
Briggs, John J. 
Bink, Elias 
Bennett, Gilbert L. 
Batcher, James C. 



Brink, William 
Bennett, Sylvester 
Bronk, Erastus 
Bronk, William J. 
Cox, John 



274 



Appendix, 



Cline, Ephraim 
Covert, Chas. N. 
Caster, Eli C. 
Comfort, John R. 
Coon, Admiral T. 
Dore, James 
Dooiie> Hiram 
Davidson, Ambrose W. 
Eggleston, Ambrose T, 
Engle, Charles 
Fox, Alberts 
Finch, Thomas J. 
Flint, M. C. 
Gray, Sabine 
Gray, Hiram T. 
Garry, John 
Gerrald, William F. 
Hawkins, Charles 

Hall, Mark 

Halcomb, Victnew 

Hayes, Edson 

Ham, John C. 

Heath, Morgan 

Hayes, Edward 

Herrin, Calvin W. 

Hyde, Peter W. 

Hyde, Henry R. 

Josshet, Henry J. 

Kells, Henry 

Kells, James 

Knapp, Albert 

Looks, Andrew 

Lawler, Peter 

McGrinas, Owen 

Muller, James H. 

Moury, Benjamin S. 

Mastin, Joseph B. 



Mastin, Anthony 
Mullen, Egbert W. 
Mersereau, Dudley 
North, Frederick D. 
Nickson, William 
Nickson, Henry 
Perkins, George 
Phillips, George 
Parsons, Leroy 
Reynolds, Oscar 
Reynolds, John 
Rindall, Jacob 
Standley, Thomas J. 
Sutliff, William T. 
Snooks, Wesley H. 
Snedaker, Chauncey 
Snook, Martin V. 
Sherwood, Joseph B. 
Spoor, Ezra B. 
Soper, Wallace 
Stevens, Cades V. 
Somerton, Thomas 
Scudder, Foster R. 
Schouter, Henry E, 
Stevens, Romine 
Schoville, Henry 
St. Clair, Charles 
Titus, Leroy 
Tilberry, Pusley 
Tripp, James W 
Tarbox, James 
Tarbox, Whipple H. 
Wooster, Lyman 
Wales, Colvin 
Wood, Hiram D. 
Youngs, Nelson 



COMPANY E. 



Milo B. Eldridge, Captain. 
Cornelius E. Dunn, 1st Lieut. 
George J. Spencer, 2d Lieut. 
James E. Glesen, Serg. 
Henry S. Harper, " 
Van Ess McNeil, " 
Horace L. Smith, " 
Eugene L. Edmunston, Serg. 
Willard Gotcheus, Corporal. 



James H. Siver, Corporal. 
Hindrick J. Smith, 
Eli B. Black, 
William B. Morgan, 
Charles A. Tompkins, 
James L. Hyde, 
Frederick C. Andrews, 
Richard D. Barry, Musician. 
Almon Springsteen, 



Appendix. 



275 



PRIVATES, 

Adams, Nelson F, 
Andrews, Peleg 
Ashley, C. Perry 
Brown, Wm, S, 
Barber, Wm. 
Bolster, Francis J 
Bristol, Wm. H. 
Baird, Nelson 
Briggs, Justin 
Conrad, John 
Cross, DeWitt 
Carnine, Morris P. 
Crandall, Charles H. 
Carnine, John 
Copley, Henry E. 
Crandall, Harrison 
Cram, James 
Cunningham, Hugh H. 
Dunlap, Thomas 
Eaton, Nathaniel 
English, Francis E. 
Everett, Henry E. 
Fitz Gerald, John 
Fach, John 
French, Clemment 
Holt, Andrew B. 
Hand, Andrew 
Howland, Daniel W. 
Hoag, Ralph 
Hinsdale, Augustus 
Howard, John 
Henyon, Geo. W. 
Johnson, Henry 
Kelsey, Philo 
Knickerbocker, Rodolph 
Keeler, Job F. 
Lewis, Charles 
Lown, Jacob 
Lown, Andrew J. 
Lusk, Samuel R. 
Monroe, Harrison 
Monroe, Francis 



Morgan, George B. 
Matthewson, Augustus 
Miller, Richard 
McDevitt, Michael 
Matthewson, George 
Norton, Dallas 
Orton, Darius, 
Perce, James L. 
Preston, Ira B. l/ 
Perry, Orlando W. 
Palmer, Abner B. 
Page, Walter R, 
Pitterburg, William 
Palmer, Philip H. 
Potter, George H. 
Rettenburg, William, Jr. 
Rummer, Henry D. 
Rummer, Orin L. 
Rood, Walter 
Rood, Erastus B, 
Randell, Gersham G, 
Swift, Alonzo 
Slack, Wm. H. 
Severson, Oscar L. 
Sweet, James 
Stanley, Anson 
Simons, Nelson 
Sigler, John A. 
Twining, Frederick F. 
Thompson, John C. 
Terwilliger, Martin H. 
Tompkins, James H. 
Topping, John 
Talmage, Selah W, 
West, George N. 
Woster, Phineas 
Warner, William H. 
Washburne, Junius E. 
Warner, Bobbins 
Yarns, Consider M. 
Young, John W„ 



276 



Appendix. 



COMPANY F. 



Henry W. Shipman, Captain. 
William N, Paige, 1st Lieut. 
Marshal Corbett, 2d Lieut. 
John VanEmburg, 
Lysander Wellman, 
William N. Dodge, 
Isaac Aldrich, 
Orange W. Emmons, 
William G, Cressen, Corporal. 
John Hanley, 



Oscar F. Nolan, Corporal. 

Marvin D. Mattoon, " 

Aaron Benn, " 

Joel Butler, 

Samuel S. Vosburg, " 

Riley W. Hines, 

Perry M. Winans, Musician. 

John B. Willcox, 

Joseph Lay cock, Wagoner. 



Ackert, Fountain H. 
Ainsworth, James A. 
Baker, Calvin 
Brady, Thomas 
Bagley, Darwin 
Burgdorf, Elisha 
Burgdorf, James C. 
Broadfoot, James 
Bayless, Henry C. 
Bayless, Burtis J. 
Bullock, Hiram 
Brown, Joel D. 
Bacon, Alfred 
Cressen, Robert D. 
Cressen, James L, 
Coller, Daniel B, 
Cash, William H. 
Crumb, Joseph P. 
Crannel, Cornelius 
Durand, David 
Doolittle, Geo. W. 
Elwell, Edgar R„ 
Eggleston, John H. 
Eggleston, Thomas 
Fosgate, George 
Frink, Luther 
Green, William H. 
Howe, Smith 
Hunter, Geo. W. 
Hawkins, Elijah 
Hanley, James 
Hawver, Peter 
Holmes, Harvey M, 
Hughes, Albert 
Hunt, Newton 



FRIVATES. 



Harris, James H. 
Hiney, Zadock 
Jeffers, Ira S. 
Jenks, Orrin 
Jenks, William 
Kilburn, Geo. W. 
Kargan, Thomas 
Knox, Milton 
Masten, Eugene A. 
Muckey, Geo. L. 
Monroe, David H. 
Mattison, Spicer W. 
Nichols, Horace W. 
Pardee, Malone J. 
Prentice, Eli 
Porter, Reuben 
Scofield, William A. 
Scoville, Samuel 
Scoville, Pranklin 
Smith, Robert W. 
Sperbeck, Robert W. 
Spaulding, Zerah 
Spaulding, Wilsey 
Seneca, William 
Spinnings, Theodore 
Smith, William J. 
Spening, Daniel D. 
Topping, Henry 
T uttle, Oliver A. 
Truesdale, Willard B. 
Van Buren, Henry 
Van Auken, James W, 
Vanness, Hamilton 
Vanness, Henry I, 
Vosburg, Levi 



Appendix. 



Wells, Colby 
Winner, Robert H. 
Watrous, Eli E. 
Watrous, Sherman K. 
Widman, John 
Wellman, Henry 

COMPANY G 

Oripman, Samuel 
Seaman, Charles A. 



Welton, Bundage H. 
Wheeler, William W 
Wright, Edwin 
Young, Win. H. 
Young, George 



Tracy, Levi 



Barto, William M. 
Phelps, David 



COMPANY H. 

Searles, Luke E. 
Guile, Frederick 



\ olunteers from Broome County who enlisted in the 
161st Regiment : 

COMPANY E, 
Gurdon Mansel, Serg. David Gage, Corporal. 

David Lock wood, " 



PRIVATES. 
Bonker, John 
Boughton, VVyant 
Conklin, Oliver C„ 
Edson, Rufus 
Falker, Abram 
Falker, Cornelius 
Folmsbee, George 
Ferguson, Lorenzo 
Jay, Ezra 
Killmore, Elisha 

COMPANY G. 
John P. Worthing-, 1st Lieut. Daniel S 



John Jay, 2d Lieut. 
David Mersereau, Serg. 

Brown, Patrick E„ 
Cooney, James 
Carmady, Cornelius 
DeGeus, William 
DeGeus, Elias 
Dedrick, Garrett 
Griffith, Isaac H. 
Hill, Geo. W. 
Henyon, John 
Henyon, David 
Hill, John S. 
Layton, James 
Landon, John A. 

14 



Killmore, Morgan L< 
Killmore, Peter 
Killmore, Ezra A. 
Reynolds, Robert M. 
Stanton, Merrit 
Tuttle, Elisha S. 
Van Nortwick, Aug. T, 
Waggoner, David 
Young, George 



Crannell, Corporal. 



William Landon, 



PRIVATES 



Lathrop, Nelson 
Larabee, Frederick 
Murphy, William 
Murphy, George A, 
McNarey, Charles 
Newcomb, Benjamin C. 
Newcomb, Samuel F f 
Ostrander, Manderville 
Ostrander, William H. 
Rozell, Benjamin F. 
Stoddard, John 
Spauldmg, Thomas 



278 



Appendix. 



Spaulding, Anson 
Swartwood, Jacob 
Sickles, Charles E. 



Spaulding, Alfred O. 
Taylor, William 
Webster, Burnam 



The following enlisted from Broome County in the 
168th Regiment : 

COMPANY A. 
Howland, Harvey N. Wilds, Abram R. 

Kenyon, Albertus S. Warn, John 

Sturdevant, Stephen 

COMPANY H. 



Isaac Allerton, Corporal. 

Burr, Charles H, 
Bostwick, Milton 
Brown, Burritt 
Brevier, James 
Dawson, Charles E. 
Emerson, James M. 
Fairchild, Henry W. 
Green, James F. 



Wright, Benj'n T. Corporal. 



PRIVATES. 



Green, Martin F. 
Hogg, John C. 
Hotchkiss, Albert 
Ketchum, Bruce B. 
Livermore, Edmond 
Overhiser, George E. 
Remsen, Albert 
Tarbell, Edward 



COMPANY K. 



Bishop, George A. 
Freeman, John C, 



Sanders, James S, 



The following privates were mustered into Company 
K, 179th Regiment, from Broome County : 



COMPANY K. 



Wm. H. Van Benschoten, Capt. 
Axtell, David W. 
Alexander, Charles S. 
Bennett, Abram 
Baker, Charles 
Benjamin, Allen 
Cornelius, Horace 
Cook, Squire H. 
Conrow, Elanson 
Carmer, Arthur A. 
Decker, James R. 
Dodge, Daniel 
Fisher, John B. 
Foster, Isaac 
Gilbert, Nathan W. 
Goodenough, Warren 
Higbee, Edward 
Hill, Isaac B. 



Robt. Hooper, 1st Lieut. 
Johnson, Charles W, 
Johnson, Richard M, 
McKinney, Russell 
McKinney, Huston 
McDonald, Chancy 
McDonald, Theodore F. 
Morse, Henry D. 
Newman, Warren A. 
Newman, Wallace B. 
Prentice, Joseph G. 
Pitkin, Wilbur 
Paisley, Frank 
Pangburn, William 
Porter, Francis 
Ramey, David 
Stiles, Levi F. 



Appendix, 



279 



Starbird, Charles W. 
Swartwood, Ebenezer 
Swart wood, Anson 0. 
Squares, Miles P. 
Townsend, Wm. M. 
Vail, Alanson J. 



Vandemark, James 
Vandemark, Beniali M. 
Westcott, Manly 
Wright, Rosel A. 
Wright, Starr T. 
Welch, Abner D„ 



Banks, Hiram 



COMPANY D, 



Muster-roll of Captain Milo "W. Locke's Company, in 
the Dickinson Light Artillery, Independent Battery, 
No. 16, N. Y. S. V. 



Milo W. Locke, Captain. 
Henry C. Jackson, 1st Lieut. 
Fredrick L. Hiller, 
Richmond Henshaw, 2d Lieut. 
George W. Powers, " 

Josiah V. Simmons, Serg. Maj. 
Frank H. Gould, Q. M. Serg. 
George McCoppin, Serg. 
Lewis P. Northrop, " 
Daniel F. Allen, 
Samuel Chase, " 

William P. Northrop, " 
Thomas Collins, " 

William M. Hiller, Corporal. 
John Seller, " 

James A. Tripp, " 

Robert B. Smith, 



Philip Twining, Corporal. 

Benona Lewis, 

Enos Norton, 

William J. Bowen, 

Thomas Moses, 

William R. Brooks, 

Benjamin P. Osborn, 

Henry Wool worth, 

Lyman B. Gray, Bugler. 

T. Fenner Brown, " 

Henry Masten, Artificer. 

John M. Rose, 

James A. Miller, 

Fitch Spoor, 

Wm. W. Alexander, 

James G. Bailey, 

John S. Hinds, Wagoner. 



PRIVATES. 



Ames, Jessie 
Amslen, Frank 
Allen, Andrew J. 
Bills, James H. 
Barton, Silas P. 
Brooks. Cornelius 
Ball, Charles D. 
Bone, Stephen L., 
Burns, Charles 
Brown, Edward 
Bander, Edwin S. 
Brown, Joseph E. 
Bough ton, Albert 
Burns, Stephen J. 
Billings, Martin 
Berdin, John A. 



Jr. 



Bander, Jared R. 
Bander, Henry A. 
Brackham, John 
Bogart, Robert V. 
Barker, Jacob 
Carney, John 
Carrigan, Philip 
Courtright, Jefferson C, 
Crawford, Albert A. 
Cole, Calvin C. 
Coalidge, Henry 
Cary, Robert 
Chase, Thomas S. 
Canfield, Benson 
Clarke, George 
Carman, George R, 



280 



Appendix. 



DeGarame, William 
Davis, George S. 
Dyer, Alexander 
Duley, Ira R. 
Dibble, Henry T. 
Easterbrooks, Elijah W. 
Everett, Moses C. 
Eggleston, John W. 
Everson, Charles S. 
Foster, Pletcher 
Fuller, Frank G. 
Fish, Davis 
French, Sylvester L. 
Fassett, Adelbert C. 
Freeman, Terris A. 
Fitch, Madison 
Gaugpery, John 
Garner, Ezra 
Gere, William L. 
Gray, Cassius 
Hewett, Edwin 
Hathaway, James 
Hal comb, Edgar 
Heffron, Thomas 
Halliman, Patrick 
Hand, Silas D. 
Harris, John A„ 
Jum, Ryan O. 
Japhet, Charles' W.- 
Jackson, Joseph O. 
Johnson, Richard M. 
James, Lewis L. 
Keith, Josiah 
Knight, Horace 
Kierton, Moses 
Lord, Kelson 
Lewis, Hiram 
Larrabee, Frederick 
Lee, Richard H. 
Merritt, Jack 
Martin, Thomas 
McDaniel, Reuben 
Miller, John, Jr. 
Martin, Ebenezer H. 
My rick, George 
McMahon, Charles 
Martin, Frederick 
Maoney, Michael 



Munson, Andrew 
Mossher, Edwin 
Mason, B. Franklin 
Minkler, Chester A. 
Mowrey, Smith B. 
Nowland, Thomas 
Olmstead, Walter G. 
Oliver, John C. 
Owen, Orson A. 
Phillips, Phirman 
Pratt, Ira P. 
Pierce, Chauncy 
Pallard, Seneca 
Pullis, Joseph P. 
Perry, Nathan 
Pangborn, Stephen 
Quaife, William H. 
Russell, Henry 
Radney, Henry H. 
Rogers, George W. 
Record, Edward 
Roberts, David H. 
Rome, George W. 
Robinson, Isaac 
Rummer, Elias D. 
Smith, Harry 
Smith. Jasper 
Smith, Samuel H. 
Smith, Myron 
Shearer, Frank 
Seeley, William 
Stapleton, Thomas 
Sullivan, Timothy 
Seymour, Lewis W. 
Stratton, Jonathan 
Scott, Henry F. 
Taber, John W. 
Turner, Theodore 
Tompkins, Thomas W. 
VanGerder, George 
Woolworth, Charles 
Whelon, Allen 
Wells, Charles 
Walker, William 
Whit beck, Abram 
Walling, John A. 
Whitney, Dexter, Jr. 



Appendix. 



281 



50th REGIMENT— Engineers. 

This Regiment was raised in different parts of the 
State, especially the western and central portions. The 
following is a list of the soldiers from this County, 
whose names appear on the first muster rolls : 

COMPANY A. 

Edwards, Duondo Matterson, Stephen 

Lashier, Henry C. 



Cragan, David B. 
Howard, Albert D. 
Howard, Levi 
Howard, Jeremiah 



COMPANY C. 

Ingerson, Charles 
McGregor, James 
Palmer, Seymour J, 



COMPANY D. 
Barney, Wallace M. Smith, Surdam 

Garrison, Franklin R. Wilkerson, William 



Orrin E. 

John N. 



COMPANY E. 

Hine, 1st Lieut, Charles O. Howard, Corporal. 



Clark, S 



George Kenyon, 



erg. 



Anson H. Bauder, 
Jeremiah Bobbins, 



Barden, Philo 
Bailey, James 
Crawford, Eli H. 
Daniels, Henry D. 
Daniels, Ormando R. 
Edwards, Alfred S. 
Hicks, Spencer 



PRIVATES. 



Hurlburt, Charles 
Lashier, Aaron 
Newton, Francis L. 
Pierce, William H. 
Robbins, Amos 
Osterhout, Lathan 



COMPANY F. 



Armstrong, James E. 
Aiken, John W. 
Brigham, Norman W. 
Cunningham, Joel 
Colegrove, Gideon C. 
Decker, Joseph D. 

COMPANY 

Butts, Horace D. 
Cafferty, Elijah D. (Wag.) 
Councilman, Adelbert G. 
Darling, Harris W. 
Hammond, Luke M. 



Howard, Joseph 
Johnson, Philip W f 
Kipp, Edwin 
More, Albert 
Payne, Anson W. 
Thornton, Mason 

G. 

Howard, Amos 
Pier, George 
Rockwell, Timothy 
Smith, John 



iS'l Appendix. 

COMPANY H. 
Pollard, Wm. C, Norton, Daniel C. 

Moores, Warren Decker, Ira 

COMPANY I. 

Peter P. White, Serg. Wesley J. Brown, Corporal, 

Henry LaGrange, Corporal. 

PRIVATES. 

Barney, Nathan Barker, Spencer 

COMPANY K. 
Anginer, Richard B. McGill, Eli H. 

Bostwick, Warren J. Oliver, Henry 

Bingham, Stephen P, Roe, Cyrus A. 

Mason, Fletcher Webb, Eli 

51st REGIMENT. 

This Regiment was mainly raised in New York city, 
but Rev. Orlando W. Benton, then of Apalachin, N\ 
Y., joined the Regiment as Chaplain, and mainly through 
the influence of that fact numbers enlisted from this 
County. They were in Co. A., and were as follows : 

Armstrong, John Doughan, Wm. H. 

Brown, James C. Davenport, Delos T. 

Bullock, William Engle, John C. 

Chidester, John Hull, Charles 

Card, Wm. H. Livermore, Benjamin 

76th REGIMENT. 

COMPANY D. 

Lnll, James Wilbur, Thomas 

COMPANY E, 

Lusk, William J. 

86th REGIMENT. 

COMPANY H. 
Blossom, Henry H. Hewitt, John 

Hewitt, George Snyder, George H, 

90th REGIMENT. 

COMPANY E. 
Merritt, James A, Lord, Alfred A.. 

Jacobs, Thomas A. Pratt, Cornelius A„ 

BaArd, Andrew J, Burch, Cyrus W, 0, 



Appendix. 



283 



Lord, Alvin H. 
Keenan, Micliael 
Wilkinson, Charles 
Hawkins, Wellington 
Baitley, W. N. 
Ames, George 
Austin, Seth K. 



Merwin, Morris M. 
Kronkhite, Charles M. 
Olmstead, Charles S. 
Benton, W. B. 
Austin, Philip N. 
Dean, George 



144th REGIMENT. 

Br, Oliver P. Buudy, Jr., Assistant Surgeon, 
COMPANY A. 



R. Harper Evans, 1st Lieut, 
Alfred E. Heath, 2d Lieut, 
Henry W. Wilcox, 
DeWitt C. Mayo, 
Charles M. Hathaway/ ' 
Gerritt S. Ward, 



George Miner, Serg. 
William N. Dean, Corporal. 
George W. Jackson, " 
James Purner, " 

Wellington Dan, <<: 



Banks, Henry W. 1 
Caswell, George E. 
Davis, Ira B. 
Dibble, Hemy 
Fletcher, James 
Finch, William H. 
Hewitt, John F. 
Huyck, William E, 



PRIVATES. 



Huyck, George J. 
Love, James N. 
McComb, John 
Moore, Abram O. 
Moore, Ambrose B, 
Reynolds, Benjamin 
Swart, John 
Tompkins, Leroy 



155th REGIMENT. 

COMPANY F. 



W. S. Schuyler, Captain, 
Thomas Hart, 1st Lieut, 
Michael O'Connell, 2d Lieut, 
Melvin A. Newman, Serg. 
Louis Bally, " 

Thomas Mathews, " 



Anthony Gillespie, Corporal, 
Michael Golden, " 

Daniel Hartnett, " 

Wilson Gleason, 
Rodney B, Hill, Musician. 



Ackeley, George 
Brannan, James 
Buell, Daniel 
Cunningham, Patrick 
Clancey, Patrick 
Cook, George W, 
Crow, John 
Davenport, Stephen 
Donnelly, Patrick 
Ponoghue, Patrick 



privates. 



Donoghue, William 
Ferry, Andrew 
Gougheny, John 
Golden, James B. 
Gordon, John 
Ivain, Roger 
Killean, Thomas 
Liddy, Patrick 
Martin, Christopher 
McConnell, William 



%b± Appendix. 



Morris, Henry Stockholm, John 

Mulinex, Judson Sullivan, Michael 

Murray, James B. Tisson, Pierre 

O'Dowd, Thomas Wall, Michael 

Perigo, William Fitz Morris, John 

Reed, John Heary, John 
Shanahan, Michael 

168th REGIMENT. 

COMPANY H. 

Dawson, Charles Green, 



Hogg, John Higginbotham. - 

194th REGIMENT. 

The following persons enlisted in February and March, 
1865, and their names will again appear in the last list 
given, and are inserted here only to give their Companies 
and Regiments : 

COMPANY B. 

Cass, Marshal A. Morgan, Horace J. 

Carman, William Ploof, Gilbert E. 

Foster, Luman A. Reynolds, Egbert H. 

Johnson, Burdell Spafford, Lorenzo D. 

Johnson, Charles W. Edwards, Samuel 

Larabee, Monroe J. Hawkins, Thomas 

Larabee, Benjamin H. 

COMPANY C. 
Killmer, Lorenzo 

IRA HARRIS GUARDS— Cavalry. 

COMPANY G. 
Edward P, McKinney, 2d Lieut Carlton P. Taylor, Corporal. 
Charles H. Cannan, 1st Serg. James F. Pettit, " 

Asabel Maynard, Serg. Jerome A. Wood, " 

Charles B. Harris, " George P. Tyler, (< 

William Berry, " Wm. C. Colt, C. Q. M. S. 

Henry Applegate, Corporal. Lewis H. Allen, Bugler. 

Asa Gurnsey, " George Miner, Wagoner, 

Oscar Stoutenburg, ff 

PRIVATES. 

Alden, Noah F, Freelan, Hiram E. 

Burdett, Edward Green, Adelbert 

Burgess, Thomas G. Hogan, Daniel 

Burke, Robert Hudsell, William 

Dickinson, Henry C. Hoad, Hubbard 



Appendix. 285 

Johnson, Cameron Pratt, David 

Jeffries, George Phelps, Willard 

Mack, Azure Stoutenburgh, David S. 

Mosher, Robert W. Stoutenburgh, Irvin J. 

Martin, Josiah Tripp, George S. 

Newman, George A. Wakerly, Henry J. 
Palmer, Marvin 

25th REGIMENT-Cavalry. 

COMPANY B. 

Corwin J. Holmes, 2d Lieut. John Phillips, private. 

1st REGIMENT— Veteran Cavalry. 

COMPANY A. 

Charles B. Fairchild, 1st Lieut. 

COMPANY F. 
Edwin D. Comstock, Captain. Charles H. Whittlesey, Corp. 
Hamilton R. Red way, 1st Lieut. Washington Marsh, " 

John E. Ronk, 2d Lieut. Russell S. Cole, 

S. Gerard Case, 1st Serg. Henry Atwell, 

L. Hebard Whittlesey, Q.M.S. Annanias Cameron, 
Orville J. Bacon, C. Serg. Setli H. Wells, Farrier. 

Sanford Bradbury, " Wm. H. Sleeper, " 

Thomas Alilok, " Wm. L. Payne, Saddler. 

Lafayette Cross, " Philip Chrismar, Wagoner. 

PRIVATES. 

Burrows, Edward Lovejoy, Reuben W. 

Bradbury, Charles W. Loveland, J. Riley 

Church, Alvah Lester, Jacob 

Cassidy, James Lewis, Charles E. 

Finch, George W. McFarland, Jesse 

Finch, Rufus Nash, William H. 

Gray, Sabin Paddleford, Hanford H. 

Ham, John C, Jr. Stephens, William D. 

Holcomb, William Stone, Nathan D. 

Hull, Calvin Truax, Albert 
Holihan, Patrick 

COMPANY H. 
Raymond, George W. 

COMPANY E. 

Furlong, Frederick B. 



280 Appendix. 

23cl REGIMENT. 

COMPANY C. 
Van Bensclioten Moses M. Curkendoll, Walter 

COMPANY D. 

Randal], Ellis 

COMPANY H t 
Coonrad, William A. 

The following names do not appear on the first muster 
rolls, and therefore have unintentionally been omitted 
in the proper place : 

89th REGIMENT. 

COMPANY G. 

Blatchley, Charles Van Aurwick, Isaac 

COMPANY F. 
Eiclienburgh, George 

27th REGIMENT. 

COMPANY A. 
Brown, Norman P. Newman, Melvin A. 

Harding, Alonzo E. 

Besides the foregoing there were no doubt others from 
this County in many of the Regiments already named ; 
for the names as here given were generally taken from 
the first muster rolls, and soldiers joining the Regiment 
after these were made out do not therefore appear in 
the published lists furnished by the Adjutant General. 
Where the names of recruits, or persons enlisting after 
the first rolls were made out, were ascertained, they are 
given.* 

Also many soldiers who should have been credited to 
our County, enlisted at distant places, where they were 
then at work, or visiting, or at school, and so got into 

* Owing to the various times the names of soldiers had to be 
copied, from the time they were originally written on the muster 
rolls until they reached the printers of the Adjutant General's re- 
ports, and finally reached the printers of the Annals, mistakes 
may be expected, however much they may be regretted. A vex- 
atious one occurred on page 276, where William N. Paige appears 
instead of the well-known citizen, William N. Sage. 



Appendix. 287 

Regiments of our own and of other states, and are re- 
ported as belonging to the places where they enlisted or 
were mustered in. 

We give below the names of a few of the many who 
so entered various Regiments : 

Isaac Hendrickson, Company H., 17th Regiment, N. Y. Infantry. 

David N. Dibble, Company K,, 143d Regiment, " " 

Florence A. Potter, Company G., 12th Regiment, " Cavalrv. 

Oliver D. Hokirk, Company A., 46th Regiment, " Infantry. 

Gregory B. Youngs, Company E., 149th Regiment, " 

Francis M. Pratt, Company C. , 79th Regiment, " " 

Charles C. Edson, Company I., 45th Regiment, Penn. " 

Corwin J. Holmes, Company B., 30th Regiment, N. Y. '< 

Zachariah Paddock, Company B., 48th Regiment, " " 

Dr. Edward I. Ford, Surgeon, 101st U. S. Colored Troops. 

William R. Snyder, Company G., 6th Regiment, N. Y. Cavalrv, 

Lee C. Stone, Company A., 1st Regiment, " Artillery. 

Patrick Flanagan, Company B., 2d Battalion, XL S. Infantry. 

Thomas McMahon, " " " " 

Charles Lee, 14th Rhode Island (Colored) Volunteers. 

Nelson Youngs, " " " 

Frederick Bond, 54th Mass. Colored Troops. 

James Postley, Co. G., 54th Mass. " " 

Henry Bell, 

William Bond, " " «« 

George Jackson, " " " 

Remsen Archer, Penn. Volunteers. 

James Archer, 26th U. S. Colored Troops. 

George Cruser, " " " " 

James Nichols, " " " " 

Jos. H. Mitchell, " 

Henry Mitchell, " " " " 

Thomas E Potts, Co. G., 18th Reg., U. S. Vet. Reserve Corps, 

Adam J. Foltz, Company E., 16th N. Y. Artillery. 

George M. Galloway, Company K., 2d N. Y. Mounted Rifles. 

John Boyden, Company E. , 7th N. Y. Artillery. 

Amos Patterson, Company B. , 2d Penn. Reserves. 

James Walsh, Company A., 64th N. Y. Volunteers. 

Peter C. Mersereau, Company G., 15th N.Y. Vol., (Engineers.) 

Wm. McElroy, Company K., 14th N. Y. Volunteers. 

Horace Tichnor, Company K. , 27th Illinois Volunteers. 

John Cunningham, Company C, 162d N. Y. Volunteers. 

Eugene Morse, Adjutant, 7th Illinois Volunteers. 

Ezra P. Keeler, Company E., 175th N. Y. Volunteers. 

Abram S. Holland, Company G., 185th N. Y. Volunteers. 

William H, Brown, Company C, 148th N. Y. Volunteers, 

Edwin D. Brown, Company C, 148th N. Y. Volunteers. 



288 Appendix, 

Congress, bv the Act of March 3d, 1863, provided for 
drafting soldiers, when voluntary enlistments did not 
lill the quotas to be furnished by the respective towns 
and counties of the different states. Previous to this all 
enlistments had been voluntary. Under this Act a dratt 
was had in the 26th Congressional District of New Y ork, 
to which the County of Broome then belonged, (and 
still belongs), and on the 17th day of July, at Owego, a 
large number of persons were drafted from Broome 
County. Capt. Edward C. Kattell was the Provost 
Marshal of the District, and the draft was under his 
supervision, he being the President of the Board ot En- 
rollment. James K Eldridge and Dr. Samuel B. Poster 
were the other members of the Board-; Dr. Poster being 
the Surgeon. The law allowed the drafted persons to 
commute by paying the sum of $300, this relieving them 
for the three years for which they were drafted to serve 
in the army. Those who were drafted had first to be 
examined, and many were thrown out as unfit to serve, 
owing to physical disabilities. Some were excused on 
legal grounds of exemption provided by the Act. lne 
greater portion of those who did pass the required ex- 
amination, and were not excused as exempt, paid the 
$300 commutation. -..'■ 

Of all the number drafted, only the following entered 
the service, to wit : 

Stone, Robert B. McCannon, Elias (76thN.Y 

Gorman, John Andrews, Geo W 

Labaron, James T. Grey, Jeremiah « N . 1 

McClara, Vanrenselaer Brown, David (76th N \.) 

Blake, Augustus Brooks, Nelson (76th N.Y.) 

Barrett, C. E. (26th Col.) Lewis, Ira 

McQuan, Joseph H. Broughan, John J. 

Vanorter, David Budd, Henry £ 

Brown, Theo. C. (26th Col.) Decker, Abram D. W 

Stack, Patrick Marcy , Seth T, (76th N . 1 . ) 

Jones, Henry C. (26th Col.) Thomas, Frederick 

Griffin, Thomas Clay, Henry 

Runyan, Geo. H. Dranes, Daniel D. 

Hogg, Robert S. Winner, Adna b. 

Freeman, W. M. (76th N.Y) Germond, Jesse W,- 



Appendix. 



- 



Setchum, John F. 
Edson, John 
Doxv, John 
Pike, Orrffie K. 
Hare, Chas. C. (76th N.Y.J 
Roberts, Frank R. 
Parsons, Warren B. 
Roe, Seymour 
Way, Marvin 
Wright, Edward F. 
Lathrop, Ira 
Foimsbee, Greo. L. 
Fletcher, John F. 
Goodenough, Edward J. 
Moat. Nicholas 
Weeks, Hiram (76th X.T.) 
Weidman, Jesse L, 
Atridge, Jonathan 
Springsteen, Uriah 
Moat, Henry 
Tanner, Jerome 
Hv.pman, Henry W, 
Welten, Sidnev L. 
Dickson, Charles F. 
Molsen, Ephraim 
Hewitt, George 
Postlev, George 
Walker, Janthes U, 
Allen, George H. 
Martin, Nicholas W. 
Howe. Henry J. 
Palmer, Ira 



Holt, Moscow E. 
YanKuren, Luther A. 
Palmer, Edward H, 
Seymour, Ira D. 
Sines. John X. 
Page, Ozias D. (146th X. Y. ) 
Johnson, Richard M. 
Kipp, Samuel 
Kipp, Lewis 
Webb, Geo. W. 
Eastman, Jeremiah 
Leisure, Chester 
Webb, Levi 
Orton, Ezirah J. 
Gaige, Austin C, 
Stringer, William 
Smith, Richard E. 
Seism, John A. 
Bush, JavW. (76th NY.) 
Ketch um, Medad 
Hartwell. BishoD A. 
Pittsley, Charles H. 
Ballard, Lorenzo 
Mott, Charles 
W estfali, Simeon 
Stratton. Edgar H 
Ada, Sylvester E. 
Conover, Henry 
Ball, Isaac L. 
Hoag, David A. 
Osterhout, Abram C. 
Clark. Albert B. 



The men were assigned mainly to Co. E, 76 Xew York 
Volunteers, "but some were sent to other Begiments. 
among which was the 64th Xew York Infantry, 

Some of the persons drafted on learning ihey were 
drawn, volunteered and entered Regiments of their own 
selection, Their names are not included in the above 
list of drafted men, hut many of them are to be found 
in the previous lists of volunteers. 

The results of the draft were not satisfactory, the 
number of actual soldiers it obtained being so few com- 
pared with the needs of our army. Besides the very idea 
of drafting was galling 1 and off ensive. When, therefor-. 



200 



Appendix. 



the President of the United States, on the 17th of the 
following October, called for three hundred thousand 
soldiers, the plan was devised of inducing enlistments 
by offering large bounties. A special meeting of the 
Board of Supervisors of Broome County was called, 
which was held December 14th and 15th, 1863. lhe 
Board of Supervisors at this meeting passed resolutions 
providing for the money, and directing the County 
Treasurer to pay the sum of $300 as a County Bounty 
to each volunteer under the call who should enlist for 
Broome County. Under this call the following persons 
enlisted, to wit : 



Allen, Abram 

Allerton, Isaac 

Armstrong, Richard 

Able, Burdett 

Adams, George W. 

Austin, Wm. C. 

Adams, Joseph 

Attridge, Arthur 

Archer, James (26th Col.) 

Aldrich, Asa 

Austin, D. W. (14th N.Y.) 

Atkins, James H. 

Amos, Quill (26th U.S. Col.) 

Ames, James M. 

Adams, Wm. E. 

Austin, Seth K. 

Alden, Edward M. 

Ashley, John C. P. 

Aiken, John W. 

Barr, John E. 

Bell, W. E. (26th U.S. Col,) 

Bell, Chas. E. 

Bullis, Andrew 

Black, Sherlock F. 

Bishop, Geo. A. 

Brown, Stephen 

Bidwell, John W. 

Barton, Jas. (26th U.S. Col) 

Buck, John L. 

Ballard, Wm. H. 

Bailey, Alvin L. 

Butler, Irving W, 

Barton. Elias 



Barton, Oscar (26 U.S. Col,) 
Booth, Chas. E. 
B,onsell, Josiah 
Briggs, Calvin R. 
Bullard, Lewis W. 
Ballard, Gardner 
Bullard, Amos 
Bullard, Addison L, 
Brownsell, Josiah 
Brown, Chas. (26th U. S. Col) 
Brown, Lewis 
Beckwith, Wm, H. 
Brown, Parley M, 
Bonker, John 
Byron, Theophelus 
Bliss, Perry 
Brownell, Charles W. 
Bell, Hermen 
Benedict, LaFayette 
Brownell, George B s 
Bull, Arthur, T. 
Bacon, Ira 
Briggs, Wm. C. 
Bly, Daniel 
Brown, Simeon P. 
Bogart, James S. 
Bogart, Allen 
Barney, Wallace M. 
Brockham, John 
Beers, Albert B. 
Bodle, Charles L. 
Beers, Charles M, 
Bunze'y, John H< 



Appendix*, 



291 



Brenan, John 
Burdett, Edward 
Barden, Philo 
Buchanan, John W„ 
Barry, James 
Brown, Henry- 
Ballard, Sanford 
Ballard, James O. 
Beach, Charles C» 
Brockham, John 
Beebe, Calvin L. 
Carmody, James 
Callan, Thomas 
Collins, Noah (26U,S. Col.) 
Campbell, James H, 
Clark, James M. 
Clark, Albert D. i 
Cone, Clark J. 
Castle, Samuel 
Conklin, Cramer H, 
Cisson, James E, 
Conner, George 
Carman, Horatio 
Cole, Chauncy H. 
Clifford, David 
Cunningham, Thomas 
Chamberlain, Albert 
Crosby, Smith F. 
Cronk, Henry 
Chichester, Lewis W. 
Chandler, Abner 
Cormickj Henry O. 
Campbell, Stephen 
Cook, Welcome 
Clause, Abram 
Chauncey, Joseph W. 
Carrier, James W. 
Cunningham, Joel 
Capron, Arba 
Camp, Eugene F. 
Caiion, John 
Crawford, Eli H, 
Cassellbery, James 
Carlisle, Joseph 
Cortright, Richard 
Can iff, John 
Campbell, Theodore F. 
Cahoon, Stephen H. 



Chapman, Joel 
Carl, John G* 
Carman, George R, 
Dempsey, Claude 
Dickinson, Edward 
Davison, James 
Donnel, Wm. 
DeVol, David 
Demander, Franklin. 
Dodge, Lewellyn W, 
Disbrow, John L. . 
Davis , John T. 
Doughan. Wm. H. 
Deyo, Stephen 
Dewey, W. P. 
Dykeman, Emmett 
Duncan, Truman J. 
Decker, Ira 
Davis, Lorenzo A. 
Decker, Joseph D. 
Donnelly, Thomas 
Doneven, Jeremiah 
Doolittle, Armine 
Davis, Arnold P. 
Dodge, Garrett, C, 
Decker, Abram CI 
DePeu, Abram 
Daniels, Javan 
Decker, Peter. 
Eckert, Wm. 
Edwards, CM. 
Eastman, Newton: 
Eggleston, John IL 
Edson, James 
Estus, Herman 
Eichenburg, Almeron ; 
Edwards, Montcalm 
Edwards, D. Ronda 
Eldridge, Simeon 
Eglesfield, Wallace 
Elsbru, Andrew J, 
Forker, James 
Forker, Richard 
Forker, William 
Fuller, Robert 
Frasier, Francis H. 
Feator, Jacob 
Fountain, Daniel' 



•in 



Appendix. 



Foley, Thomas 
Fuller, George W. 
Fredenburg, James 
Frame, Wm. C. 
Ferrous, LaFayette C. 1 
Furguson, Thomas Z„ 
Ferguson, Jefferson 
Flint, Charles W. 
French, Sylvester 
Gray, Cassius M. 
Garner, Ezra 
Green, John TV 
Greeny TuHy 
Green, Robert 
Gross, John 
Grummond, Chas. 
Ganun, Michael H. 
Guile, Wm. 
Guile,, Jeremiah 
Gary, Harrison W. 
Gurney, % 
Graves, Monson 
Grieves, James 
Goodbody, Wm. R. A, 
Gorman,, Matthew 
GorhLng, Henry L„ 
Gardner, Wm. 
Green, Oscar C. 
Griffith, Isaac H. 
Gray, Eli 
Grimes, James A, 
Halloek,. Benj.. W, 
Hopkins, Wm.. H^ 
Hopkins, Martin J. 
Handy, Chas. 0. 
Hardy, Samuel 
Hurlburt, Geo. E. 
Howland, G. P. 
Horton, N. T. 
Henderson, John 
Hine, Luther 
Howard, Edgair A, 
Howell, D. P. 
Howard, Chester 
Howard, Allison E„ 
Heath, Eugene 
Howard, Wm. M. 
Hall, Wm. H. 



Herrion, Horace A„ 
Heathy MajVtf'Rv 
Howard, Enos I. 
Horton, Wm. H. 
Horton, Francis J. 
Hare, George R. 
HepbuJn, Fred, 
Howard, Frederick 
Hemstrought, Love joy 
Howard, Albert D. 
Howard, Levi 
Howard, Jefemiah 
Hickox, Thomas P. 
Holmes, Franklin 
Hagadorn, Hermon 
Hays. James 
Holland, Harlan 
Heath, Sidney B. 
Henson, Henry E. 
Hathaway, James 
Ingraham, Smith N. 
Ives, Joshua 
Ingerson, Charles A. 
Johnson, Samuel 
Johnson, Richard 
Johnson, Wm. 
Jackson, James 
Jones, Thomas 
Johnson, Lewis W. 
June, James 
Jackson, Charles 
Johnson Wm. J. 
Jones, Charles S. 
Jenks, Orin 
Kipp, Chas. W. 
Kniffen, Isaac G. 
Karnine, Silas 
Killmer,. Thomas 
Knapp, Martin 
Killmer, George L. 
Keeler, George M. 
Knowlton, John M. 
Kenyon, Milo 
Killmer, Lorenzo 
Keator, Thomas W. 
Killmer, Wm. T. 
Knapp, Ezra A. 
Lewis, Charles H, 



Appendix^ 



898 



Lewis, Peter H. 
Lamb, Rufus 
Livermore, Edward 
Lewis, Myron A. 
Langdon, Charles A, 
Lawson, Charles E. 
Lisk, Wm. P. 
Loyd, James H. 
Langdon, Ormus H. 
Lobdell, Rosander F. 
LeRoy, Levi L. 
Lewis, Leonard 
Lobdell, Zimri 
Leonard, Stephen B. 
Low, John 
Lewis, Benona 
McKinney, James J, 
McNellan, James 
Mayo, Charles 
Mayo, Wm., Jr. 
Mosher, Edwin C. 
Meeker, Andrew 
Meeker, Arthur E. 
Mead, Allen 
Mercer, Jacob 
Martin, Wm. G. 
Moore, Samuel 
Minkler, Edgar 
Minkler, Jesse D. 
Meigs, George B. 
Miller, Frederick 
Might, Moses 
Macombie, Eugene L. 
Mclntyre, Ezra 
Moses, John 
Morton, Willis B. 
Mayo, Reuben 
Mulligan, James C. 
Marble, James T. 
Morris, Henry M. 
Mayo, Orin 
Murphy, Jeremiah 
Mooney, John 
Mershon, John W. 
Moore, Albert 
Moses, Thomas 
Miller, John 
McGill, LeyiH,/ 



McDowell, Theodore 
Martin, Wm. G. 
Morton, Henry A. 
Newton, Sam'l D. 
Northrup, Wm. P. 
Newell, Orvin L. 
Northrup, Lewis P. 
O'Halloran, Daniel C. 
Osborne, Benjamin H. 
Oakley, Isaiah 
Osgood, Wm. 
Osborne, Joseph R. 
Oliver, John G. 
Osterhout, George G. 
Odell, William N. 
Orton, Henry 
Oliver, Simeon 
Orcutt, Jonathan 
Oliver, John C. 
Parsons, Nelson R. 
Pangborn, Wm. E. 
Parmalee, George A, 
Pitts, Chas. W. 
Pittsley, Geo. W. 
Purtle, Thomas 
Preston, James H. 
Porter, M. B. 
Pierce, Henry C. 
Pierce, Delos 
Pixley, Lorenzo 
Pierce, George F. 
Pettis, Ralph 
Pettis, Zephenia 
Palmatier, Napoleon 
Potter, Benjamin A. 
Pulsipher, Henry 
Powers, Wm. 
Palmer, Ira 
Preston, George L. 
Purdy, Win. H. 
Pixley, Ebenezer 
Pierce, Wm. L. 
Pierce, Cornelius M. 
Probasco, Theodore F 
Phelps, Henry 
Pierce, Wm. H. 
Payne, H. N. . 
Payne, Anson W 



194 



Appendix. 



Perkins, James H, 
Palmer, Seymour J. 
Pickering, Henry P. 
Pettit, James F. '..;■ 
Plielps, Harvey 
Pierce, Joseph M. 
Payne, Deloss 
Pratt, Ira P. 
Pace, William E. 
Right, John W. ; 
Robbins, Isaac 
Reynolds, John C. 
Robinson, Win. 
Ray, David A. 
Remelle, Charles 
Rhinevault, S. P. 
Reilly, John 
Race, George 
Ryan, Patrick 
Reynolds, Franklin 
Ryan, Wm. 
Richason, John 
Roe, Cyrus A. 
Richardson, Lucian 
Reynolds, Rufus 
Rogers, Francis F. 
Rosell, Edward F. 
Rosell, Benjamin A. 
Reed, Chauncy J. 
Robinson, Wm. H. 
Reed, Ichabod S. 
Reynolds, Jonathan 
Robinson, Martin L. 
Rose, John M. 
Rogers, Edward 
Sawtelle, Chas. P. 
Snow, Wm. H. 
Soafford, Chas. 
Sly, Wm. R, 
Straight, Horace 
Straight, Jacob 
Smith, John . 
Stafford, John 
Sherman, Alonzo W. 
Sherman, J. A. 
Swan, Orange S. 
Smith, Peter 
Scott, Wm. 
Smithy Christopher 



Smith, John 
Springsteen, John;' 
Smith, Oscar . ? 
Seymour, Alexander 
Seery, Christopher 
Shaw, Hiram - / 
Seely, John H. 
Shaw, Joseph ■; C.- 
Seymour, Lewis W. 
Sliter, Adelbert :; 
Stephens, Alva H.r 
Saringer, Josiah ;' 
Searles, Griffin ? 
Seism, Wm. H. m 
Seism, James 
Smith, Mason B. 
Stebbins, Henry F^ 
Sinsabaugh, Leonard 
Smith, George W. 
Smith, Adelbert H. 
Sampson, Thomas W. 
Surdam, Smith 
Stoutenburg, Oscar A. 
Snyder, Win. G. 
Stanley, Hiram 
Smith, Joseph 
Stoutenburg, Samuel S. 
Soule, Peter 
Sullivan, Timothy 
Smith, Thompson R. 
Shepard, George A. 
Swain, Charles M. 
Snyder, George H. 
Thompson, Wm. H. 
Turner, Levi 
Tower, Warner C. 
Tyler, George P. h 
Tripp, Benj. D. A 
Tripp, Wm. H. £A 
Tompkins, Samuel 
Terwilliger, George 
Truesdell, E. P. \\ 
Thornton, Cyrus 0. 
Truesdell, Elisha A 
Truesdell, Harvey 
Tompkins, Wtol 
Terwillager, Leander 
Topping, John : * 



Appendix, 



295 



Thompson, Clark 
Thompkins, Levi 
Taft, Job 
Thornton, Mason 
Tanner, Alpheus 
Van Home, Charles 
Van Wert, Chas. 
Van Ness, Hamilton 
Van Dyke, Wm, 
Van Auker, Gideon 
Van Dusen, Stephen 
Wallace, Lewis 
Wliipple, Warren 
White, Squire 
Woodward, George 
Wilber, Frederick 
Wilkinson, Wm, 
Wall, David 
Williams, Emerson B. 
Whitman, Albert G. 
Williams, Daniel 



Wilson, Geo. W. 
Wesler. Michael 
Weed, James H, 
Weston, N. H. 
Williams, Charles 
Wenn, Obediah 
White, Merrit P. 
Waterman, Jasper 
Wilkin, John 
Wideman, Adrian 
Wells, Charles D. 
Webb, Eli 
Walker, Aaron 
Wool worth, Henry 
Wheaton, John 
Watkins, Wm. 
Walker, Wm. 
Youngs, James E. 
Youngs, Gregory B. 
Yeomans, Peter P. 



\s^ 



These men went into various Companies and Regi- 
ments, of the names of which no facilities now exist by 
which they can be given. 

President Lincoln issued another call February 1st, 
1864, for five hundred thousand soldiers, and on the 5th 
of that month the Board of Supervisors again met, and 
provided a like bounty for volunteers enlisting under 
this call. The following persons enlisted under this 
call, and were credited to Broome County : 



Applegate, Henry 
Avis r Wm. H. 
Alexander, Charles 
Adams. Daniel L. 
Ayres, Anthony W. 
Adams, James E. 
Ackley, James W. 
Allen, Sherwood 
Ames, GustavusB. 
Allen, Lorenzo 
Bacon, Wm. A, 
Bander, Anson H^ 
Boyle, Charles -? 
Boughtoa,, Epeneius 



Bailey, James W. 
Bailey, George 
Behrenet, Jolin 
Babcock, David J. 
Bowman, Francis 
Boughton, Hiram 
Blossom, Henry H. 
Brooks, Lieutenant H. 
Blake, Martin 
Burlingame, Philander F. 
Bern, Alonzo 
Brister, Ira 
Birdsall, Chester K. 
Baldwin, Lyman 



296 



Appendix. 



Brown, Thomas 
Benjamin, Lathrop 
Ball, Charles 
Bagley, Edgar 
Bone, Stephen, Jr. 
Cramer, Philip 
Councilman, Adelbert G. 
Crandall, Charles 
Clapper, Eldridge 
Cowdery, Olin W. 
Chaffee, Otis H. 
Clark, Wm. H. 
Clark, J. N. 
Crom, Henry 
Curran, James 
Corby, Samuel S. 
Coon, Samuel C. 
Corby, Israel L. 
Carman, Thomas A. 
Crocker, Andrew 
Crocker, Eli 
Crowe, John 
Clark, Lewis 
Cagwin, Stephen D. 
Covert, Abram 
Cary, Robert 
Campbell, Charles L. 
Culver, Daniel B. 
Darling, W. Harris, 
Dykeman, John 
Drake, George F. 
Daniels, Orlando R. 
Dunlap, Wm. H. 
Davis, Wm. 
Dunning, Franklin 
Davis, Jehoiakim 
Doud, Bernard 
Dalton, James 
Pecker, Isaac B ? 
Davis, Wm. J. 
Deval, Wm. K. 
Depew, Moses 
Dyer, Jackson 
Draper, Geo. W. 
Dunham, Monous L. 
Davenport, Nelson M. 
Dunning, John T. 
Edminster, Wm. 



Els worth, Millb.orne 
Eastwood, Wm. 
Englis, George M. i 
Edson, Charles G. i 
Foot, Henry 
Fosburg, Andrew 
Fowler, John A. 
Finch, Eli 

Franklin, Jonathan H. 
Flint, Jeremiah 
Foot, Enos P. 
Fisher, Eugene 
Fish, David 
Grant, Samuel 
Gregg, Charles 
Gates, Wm. E. 
Gardner, Charles . 
Gill, Daniel 
Gibson, Jeremiah W. 
Green, Richard S. 
Goodwin, Edwin H. 
Garrison, George 
Gates, Washington 
Gray, Herman C. 
Green, Adelbert 
Hutchings, Simeon A. 
Hardy, Thomas 
Holmes, Wm. J. 
Halstead, James T. 
Hill, George 
Howard, Joseph 
Howard, Amos 
Hicks, Spencer 
Hartwell, Albert 
Halstead, Adelbert 
Hausbrook, Silas 
Hulce, Manlius F. 
Hokirk, Geo. R. 
Harris, Henry H. 
How, David H, 
Hemmingway, Albert 
Howard, Edwin 
Hardy, James K. 
Hardy, Benjamin 
Haight, David 
Harris, Charles - 
Horton, Wm. W„ 
How^d, Ira^- • • 



Appendix. 



2m 



Harvey, Chester H. 
Hull/ Tompfein« 
Johnson, Theodore 
Jenks, Geo. E. 
Johnson, Francis 
Jackson, Joseph F. 
Johnson, Win. H. 
Johnson, Napoleon B. 
Kark, Alva 
King, Wm, R. 
Kenyon, George 
Knickerbocker, Francis 
Kellogg, Charles A. 
Kaine, Lawrence 
Luce, George F. 
Lotteridge, Randal E. 
Lake, Charles- 
Laban, Lewis 
LaGrange, Henry 
Loveland, Martin 
Lockard, John A, 
Livingstone, Peter 
Madison, Charles 
Meeker, Hiram G. 
Miller, Hebron B. 
McKune, Robert 
Markham, Charles C. 
Mclntire, John 
Markham, Wm. (X 
Merritt, John 
Miller, Gilbert L. M. 
Miller, Horace 
McDonnell, Thomas 
McCormick, Walter 
Murray, Jas. 
Moore, Albert L. 
Murray „ Thomas 
McCormick, Robert 
McDonald, Wm. D. 
Manning, Martin H. 
McAllister, Alpheus 
McCray, James M. 
McCray, Wm. L. 
Martin, Joseph P. 
Nichols, Isaac 
Oliver, Henry 
Oliver, Alonzo 
Olney, Lyman 



Odell, Fayette G. 
Ogde^, Wm, 
O'Conner, Michael 
Penney, Wm. 
Putnam, Charles E. 
Peterson, James H. 
Philips, Alvin 
Parks, Jas, G, 
Patterson, Jacob H, 
Pierce, Wm. 
Pierce, Chas. T, S. 
Prentice, Charles H. 
Perry, Wm. H. 
Pratt, David 
Ryan, John 
Russell, Luther 
Robbins, Jeremiali 
Robbins, Hosea 
Rice, Isaac A, 
Rose, Alonzo 
Rulifson, John W. 
Russell, Leonard 
Randall, James 
Rood, Giles O. 
Reynolds, Ezra E. 
Raymond, Robert D. 
Rhoades, David 
Robinson, Isaac 
s&towell, Oscar 
Stiles, Charles 
Snedaker, James G. 
Simmons, Henry 
Sanders, Sanford S. 
Seeley, Wm. 
Sensabaugh, Alpheus 
Stevens, Victor M. 
Smith, James 
Stone, Andrew B. 
Smith, Wilbur F. 
Shadick, Taylor M. 
Shonesey, James 
Stenbeck, Nelson 
Stringham, George W. 
Smith, John 
Smith, Frank S. 
Swift, George M. 
Seller, John 
Stratton, Charles 



m 



Appendix* 



Sackett, Edwin M. 
Tewksbury, Ira B. 
Tewksbury, Benjamin P. 
Tripp, Levi 
Till bury, Edgar E. 
Twining, Philip 
Thurston, Frank L. 
Tracy, Ezra G. 
Talmadge, Oliver 
Taylor. Carlton P. 
Tripp, Chauncy G. 
Tarbox, George S. 
Thurston, Fred. K. 
Vandeburg, Stephen P. 
Van Orsdale, Lewis 
Vargason, Reed 
Voughti Jewell O. 
Van Norwick, Isaac 
Van Home, Geo. W. 
Vanderburg, Jas. E. 
Wheeler, George 
Whitney, Amasa S.- 



Webb, John 
Whittemore, Calvin 
Warren, Edward B; 
Willsey, Simon K. 
Wilcox, John H. 
Wilson, Aaron W. 
Wetmore, James 
Wright, John H. 
Washburne, Nicholas 
Woodcock, Geo. W. 
White, George S. 
Wandell, Andrew 
Walker, John T. 
Woodburne, Clarence 
White, Addison G. 
White, John S. 
Wakerley, Henry J. 
Wilbur, Thomas P. 
Willson, Charles F. 
Yaple, Samuel J. 
Zimmer, Hiram 



The call of March 15th, 1864, for two hundred thou- 
sand more volunteers seems to have been provided for 
without any meeting of the Board of Supervisors. 

On the 18th day of July, 1864, the President again 
called for five hundred thousand additional soldiers, and 
on the 25th of the month the Board of Supervisors held 
a special meeting, and authorized a like bounty of $300 
under this latter call. 

enlisted for Broome County 



The following persons 
under this call ; 

Adams, Martin H. 
Austin, George W. 
Addison, Julius A. 
Axtell, David 
Anthony, Luther L. 
Alexander, Charles S. 
Ames, John A. 
Andrews, Isaac D. 
Andrews, Stephen P. 
Allard, Oliver H. 
Brown, Herman D. 
Brown, Alexander J. 



Brown, Wm. H. 
Baker, Charles 
Bostwick, Milton 
Bell, Orlando 
Ballard, Geo. W. 
Benson, Henry N. 
Bolles, Jerome 
Bolles, Wallace 
Bayless, Theodore 
Broat, John 
Beckwith, Oliver E. 
Benschoten, Samuel W. 



Appendix. 



299 



Brundage, Giles H. 
Bedell, Thomas 
Bush, George C. 
Beman, Elbert A. 
Bunder, Edward 
Bradley, Ufford 
Bingham, Lyman F. 
Bennett, Abram 
Burrows, Elisha A. 
Bryant, Rufus O. 
Bush, Jonas P. 
Bishop, E. B. 
Blair, George 0. 
Bixby, Reuben 
Brown, Burritt 
Brown, Willard W. 
Butler, Wm. J. 
Blowers, Hiram 
Bivins, Henry J. 
Bryant, Clark D. 
Baker, Lewis S, 
Bice, Henry 
Buell, Wallace P. 
Blanchard, James F. 
Benjamin, Allen 
Bedell, Richard O. 
Bryant, Benjamin F. 
Broat, Alonzo D, 
Branday, Mark D. 
Butler, Wm. J, 
Bryant, Geo. S. 
Bogart, Herbert 
Bell, Chas. H. 
Brown, Lewis H. 
Erookens, George W. 
Bough ton, Emmon H. 
Burrows, Elisha A. 
Brown, Johnson 
Barton, Edward W. 
Blatchly, Frank A. 
Bodley, John 
Chidester, Enoch 
Cormack, Isaac 
Crocker, Arthur E. 
Cook, Lyman 
Culver, Lewis J. 
Cook, Ira S. 
Church, Franklin D. 



Cole, Asa 
Collard, Wm. H. 
Cornelius, Horace 
Carman, Arthur A, 
Campbell, James L. 
Church. John 
Conrow, Alanson 
Cook, Squire H. 
Clark, Harrison 
Carr, Winfield S. 
Craver, Albert 
Carver, James S. 
Carver, Wesley 
Church, Henry R. 
Carman, Leander 
Crocker, Eben E. 
Cornish, Rufus J. 
Cunningham, Emory 
Cannon, Reuben S. 
Conklin, Heli 
Cook, Wm. W. 
Coleman, Frank E. 
Cowles, Erwin D. 
Carr, George A. 
Carman, Coreal S. 
Cole, Alexander 
Clark, Bostwick 
Corbett, Julius S, 
Darling, Charles A, 
Dan, Wellington 
Demoney, Henry C, 
Davis, Wm. P. 
Demorier, Robert H. 
Donohue, James 
Dyer, Charles C. 
Dyer, Leroy C. 
Dunning, Charles J. 
Demorier, Irving W. 
Demorier, George 0, 
Decker, James R. 
Dickinson, Wm. 
Durfee, Marsden A. 
Davis, Eben H. 
Dunn, Henry M. 
Davenport, Henry 
Dodge, Daniel 
Dunham, James C, 
Pecker, Henry 



300 



Appendix. 



Egan, John P. 
Estes, Sherwin P. 
Edgecomb, Lyman 
Englis, Daniel 
Fenn, Lyman 
Foster, Isaac 
Fisk, Jonathan D. 
Fish, Suel T. 
Fairbrother, Edwin M. 
Finney, Richard 
Falone, Peter 
Fisher, John B. 
Fairchild, Henry W. 
Freeman, John C. 
Fish, Andrew J. 
Fairehiid, Charles B. 
Foot, Edward S. 
Fessenden, Asa I). 
Fuller, Hiram 
Gage, John C. 
Gates, Wm. H. 
Garagun, Wm. 
Gage, George W. 
Goodenough, Warren 
Gates, Lee C. 
Golden, John W. 
Goeway, John E. 
Gallup, Seth 
Green, Theodore 
Goodrich, Chauncy W. 
Gates, Alfred S. 
Gould, Thadeus 
Gilbert, Nathan W. 
Gradsell, David B. 
Gage, Joel S. 
Gardner, Jacob 
Galick, Theodore H. 
Hooper, Robert 
Holden, Wm. 
Howland, Arthur 
Howland, Warren, 3d 
Holden, Dallas 
Hoffman, Augustus 
Hand, Stephen N. 
Howard, Chester A. 
Hotchkiss, Albert C. 
Higbee, Edward 
Hakes, George W. 



Hill, Isaac B. 
Henderson, Robert N, 
Halstead, Joseph S. 
Hilburn, John 
Howell, Howell 
Hawkins, Calvin 
Hotchkiss, Oliver 
HalJ, Henry C. 
Hamlin, Charles S. 
Hand, Chas. W. 
Harris, Charles 
Hill, Franklin 
Hunt, John M. 
Hood, Clark L. 
Henderson, John H. 
Hall, Wm. H. 
Ingraham„ Jonathan B. 
Jayne., Justice F. 
Jay. Henry A. 
Johnson, Charles M. 
Johnson, George M. T. 
Johnson, Richard M. 
Jones, Theodore F. 
Johnson, Charles W. 
James, Wm. 
Kipp, Seymour 
Kilmer, Charles H. 
Kilmer, Oliver A. 
Ketchum, Bruce B. 
Keaton, Thomas W. 
Kennedy, Thomas C. 
Kasson, Myron H. 
Lake, Joseph L. 
Lisk, Henry A. 
Launt, Peter E. 
Labarron, Smith 
Lewis, Joseph H. 
Leonard, Chas. J. 
Landon, James 
Laht, John L. 
Larribee, Alfred W. 
Lindsey, Zina A. 
Leonard, Martin 
Lee, Stephen B, 
Loomis, B. F, 
Layton, John 
Leonard, John B, 
McGee, Isaac 



Appendix. 



301 



McKenney, Russell 
Meeker, Norman A. 
Mitchell, Alba 
Mcintosh, Peter 
Mayo, Bennett 
Moulter, Morris B. 
Mott, Warren H. 
Murphy, Michael 
Miller, Charles 
Millard, Ebenezer J. 
Miller, Samuel W. 
McGee, Albert 
Mulford, Henry 
Manning, Henry L, 
Mersereau, Eben C. 
Monroe, Henry S. 
Mersereau, Peter C. 
Middaugh, Ward 
Montgomery, Eugene E. 
Montgomery, Medad 
Markham, Amos 
McKinney, Horton 
Morse, Henry D„ 
Mersereau, Henry C. 
McClellan, Marcellius 
Manchester, Albert 
Miller, Jacob 
Morenus, Peter 
Moon, John 
Millard, David H, 
Newcomb, John 
Newmans, Wm, B. 
Northrup, Alvin 
Newman, Warren A, 
Norton, George E. 
Nason, Robert W. 
Norcott, Howard 
Olmstead, Wm., Jr. 
Orton, George E. 
Pencil, Theodore F t 
Page, Jacob K, 
Peudall, Wm, H. 
Pelham, Griffin E, 
Prentice, Phineas 
Prentice, Theodore 
Pilkin, Wilbur 
Parson, Robert G, 
Parsons, Harvey W, 

16 



Paisley, Frank 
Prentice, Ashlev 
Padleford, Newell P. 
Park, Gregory 
Preston, Ira B. 
Patrick, Geo. W. 
Paugburn, Wm. 
Porter, Francis 
Perine, Abel K. 
Pender, Elly A, 
Prentice, Joseph G. 
Rhinevault, Menville 
Roberts, John S„ 
Red field, Geo. S. 
Rigley, Luman P. 
Russell, Matthew C> 
Richards, Isaac J, 
Rought, Jerome 
Rice, Wm. 
Reed, Win. H. 
Riley, Cornelius A. 
Russell, James L. 
Richard, J. H. 
Rogers, David 
Rangy, David 
Rice, George W, 
Roberts, Ashael 
Ransom, Albert 
Stowell, John 
Simmons, Rollin A. 
Stevens, ' Willard 
Steele, Setli A. 
Slater, Ira M. 
Shirley, Dura B. 
Spencer, Elijah A„ 
Standish, Eugene 
Stevenson, Wm. B. 
Smith, Dwight R. 
Shay, James L. 
Smith, Geo. 
Scoville, Horace B. 
Smith, John 
Slater, Dudawick H. 
Stiles, Levi T. . 
Sherwood, Theodore 
Spencer, Charles Z. 
Spearbeok, Andrew 
Swart-wood, Anson O, 



302 



Appendix. 



Sudlemen, Jacob 
Squires, Miles P. 
Skinner, Samuel 
Swart wood, Ebenezer 
Stever, Wm. M. 
Struble, Geo. M. 
Schumaker, John L. 
Sears, Cong-don 
Scott, Leroy L. 
Sawyer, Simeon P. 
Smith, Leroy 
Starbird, Charles VV. 
Squires, Smith B. 
Smith, John H. 
Surine, Chas. M. 
Thatcher, Samuel N. 
Thompson, Washington 
Thomas, John W. 
Taylor, John N. 
Thomas, Elijah 
Tyler, Charles P. 
Ticknor, Mason F. 
Tyler, Franklin R. 
Townsend, Wm. M. 
Tripp, Adelbert D. 
Thompson, John M. 
Tillbury, John 
Tubbs, Clark 
Truesdall, George W. 
Thompson, Henry P. 
Tamkins, Edward C. 
Twining, Malen J. 
Thomas, Jerome M. 
Tongue, Wm. 
Thurber, Joseph N. 
Twining, Joseph 
Tarbell, Edward 
Thompson, Japhet 
Tiel, John 
Truesdale, Robert 



Vandemark, James 
Vandemark, Beriah 
Vail, Alanson J. 
Vanderworker, Gerrit 
VanValkenburg, Sanford 
VanBenscoten, Moses M. 
Walter, Benjamin F. 
Wells, George E. 
Welch, David N. 
Walton, Lewis 
Wakely, Nathan H. 
Wood, James L. 
Watson, John 
Weidman, Martin R. 
Williams, Charles B. 
Wainwright, John C. 
Williams, Charles B. 
Williams, Geo. H. 
Watson, Eri S. 
Whitney, Adelbert R. 
Wilson, Wm. A. 
Whitney, Abram T. 
Warner, George W. 
Warner, Wm. W. 
Wickham, James B. 
Watrous, Ansel, Jr. 
Winchell, Avery 
Warrick, David 
Williamson, James 
Whittaker, Britton 
Westcott, Manley 
Weeks, Amos 
West, Silas B. 
Wright, Starr T. 
Wright, Rosell A. 
Wood, Stephen 
Whitbeek, Seymour 
Yarnes, Andrew 
Zimmer, David 
Zimmeree, Harrison 



President Lincoln, on the 19th day of December, 1864, 
again called for three hundred thousand men, and a 
special meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held on 
the 13th day of January, 1865, at which they passed 
resolutions giving a bounty of $700 each to soldiers en- 
listing for three years for this County under that call. 



Appendix, 



303 



$600 each to men enlisting for 
for those enlisting for one year, 
the following soldiers enlisted , 

Aldrich, Augustus W. 
Armstrong, Abram 
Allison, Jacob T. 
Andrews, Chas. 
Ames, John H. 
Ames, James H. 
Ayres, Lorenzo D. 
Brenchley, Solomon. 
Blakeslee, John D. 
Barnes, Willard 
Bartron, Daniel 
Benedict, George E, 
Buckley, Jas. H. 
Beers, John H. 
Brown, Michael 
Balch, H. Clay 
Bowker, Okas. A. 
Bell, Wm. 
Billings, Edgar E. 
Billings, Silas 
Barney, Nathan 
Brown, Benjamin 
Brown, Albert 
Boardman, Theron 
Beardsley, Ebenezer 
Bennett, Wm, G. 
Brownson, Ebenezer 
Babcock, Alonzo A. 
Billing, Jasper 
Brown, William 
Birdsall, Henry 
Brenan, John 
Babcock, Isaac M. 
Billing, Samuel M. 
Brown, Chas. M. 
Bence, James 
Bassett, Wm. 
Brenner, Charles 
Brady, John 
Blum, George 
Bronk, Erastus 
Oafferty, Elijah D. 
Celleghan, John 
Carman, Charles 



two years, and $500 each 
Under these resolutions 

Canfield, Thomas 
Cooper, Isaac 
Crane, George W. 
Carroll, Patrick 
Clark, John M. 
Cannan, James M, 
Conrow, Gilbert 
Conrad, Jesse H, 
Corbett, John 
Clark, Hiram W. 
Cady, Lucius C. 
Cary, John G. 
Caiferty, Enoch B. 
Cinnamon, Jas. W. 
Curran, Joseph 
Carman, Wm, 
Cain, James 
Chase, Thomas R. 
Campbell, Henry- 
Cass, Marshall A. 
Culver, Alphonzo W. 
Dean, -John P. 
Durfee, Alonzo 
Davis, John A.. 
Davis, Russell 
Decker, Win. N. 
Dean, George E. 
Dodd, Thomas P, 
Deyo, David 
Edwards, Alvin 
Edwards, Samuel 
Farnham, Francis L. 
Forker, Gfeorg*e 
Foster, Luman A. 
Green, Almeron 
Gaskell, Everett W. 
Gillan, Jas. H. 
Harvey, Geo. W. 
Hewett, John R. 
Hairier, Simon 
Hines, James 
Hagadorn, John D. 
Hewisten, Marcus S. 
Howell. Wm. L. 



«04 



Appendix, 



Howell, Wm, D. 
Hayes, John 
Harding, Stephen H. 
Hawkins, Thomas 
Houghtailing, Jacob 
Howell, John W. 
Hargrare, Thomas, J, 
Ives, Amasa P. 
Isbel, John 
Ives, Jacob 
Jenkins, Wm. V. 
Jenkins, Evan 
Jenk, John 
Johnson, Clsas. W, 
Johnson, Rimdell 
Jones, Chas. T. 
Knowlton, Austin G. 
Kinney, Nathan E. 
Kramer, Henry 
Kilmer, John P. 
Kinner, David R. 
Ketchem, Luten.H. 
Kilmer, Lorenzo 
Long, Robert 
Long, Samuel 
Lockhaird, Wm. 
Leister, Wm. H. 
LaG range, Charles 
Landon, Cornelius 
Latenrette, Eugene 
Loomis, George A. 
Lott, Solomon G. 
Lull, Marshall J. 
Larabee, Benjamin H, 
Lanning, Charles P. 
Larabee, Monroe J. 
Lyke, Samuel J. 
Lewis, Charles 
Middleworth, Charles W 
Mullihan, Thomas 
Martin, George 
Mersereau, Jerome D. 
Mersereau, Fayette 
Maynard, Moses L. . 
McClu re, Wallace 
Munn,. Tilden 
Morehouse, Ransom 
McCard, David 



Maynard, Dimick 
Morris, Melvin 
McCard, Daniel 
McComb, David 
Murry, Martin 
McFarland, Zachariah 
Maynard, Forest J. 
Morgan, Horace J. 
Morse, Samuel 
NoAvlan, Sidney 
Ostrander, Lorenzo S. 
Perry, Daniel 
Parker, Orlando W. 
Prince, George M. 
Putnam, Orson F. 
Putnam, David H. 
Perry, George 
Plummer, Wm. 
Pope, Jerome \/ 
Payne, Milo B. 
Ploof, Gilbert E. 
Palmer, Marvin 
Ryan, Matthew 
Russell, Charles E. 
Radaker, Bolivar 
Rounds, J. L. 
Robinson, Fletcher 0. 
Russell, Loyal F. 
Russell, Stephen 
Revnolds, Egbert H. 
Sewell, Wm. H. 
Severson, Henry 
Spafford, Henry C. 
Smith, Samuel 
Shay, Wm. P. 
Stanton, Godfrey- M. 
Shipman, Charles 
Sawyer, Joseph A. 
Starkey, Charles 
Spafford, Lorenzo, Dr. 
Stephens, Abisha C. 
Thompson, George 
Templar, Marshall E. 
Thornton, Abel 
Throop, Joseph D. 
Taft, Amos F. 
Truesdell, Sidney A. 
Thorn, Jackson 



Appendix. 305 

Wright, Newton Wayman, John S. 

Wells, Jacob Wayman, Ambrose 

Williams, Henry C. Wayman, Peter 

Williams, Samuel Wayman, Thomas 

Welch, Jerome B. Vermilyea, George W. 

Welch, Henry C. Van Duzen, Mack 

Worick, Peter Van Guilder, Amos 

Many persons furnished substitutes under the resolu- 
tions of January loth, 1865, but the names of the sub- 
stitutes are not so accessible as to justify the delay re- 
quired to procure and insert them in these Annals. 

The soldiers enlisted under the various resolutions 
above set forth Avent into Regiments of their own selec- 
tion, or in the absence of such selection were assigned 
to Regiments by the War Department. It would have 
been considered a privilege to give the Company and 
Regiment into which each soldier enlisted, or to which 
he was assigned, but the doing of this would too long- 
delay the publication of this book. 

The following names were omitted, by reason of not 
coming to hand sooner, and are here inserted : 

Horace White, Co. A, 51st X. Y. Volunteers. 
George White, " " " 

Thomas A. Carman, Co. D, 51st N. Y. Volunteers. 
James W. Manier, Co. H, 23d X. Y. Volunteers. 

A number of men from Broome County were in the 
Navy, but their names, in most cases, are not accessible, 
or to be obtained except by much delay. In the winter 
of 1864 and 1865, a large number of persons enlisted 
from this County to serve on the Iron Clad Dictator ; 
but through some misunderstanding they were not per- 
mitted to serve. 

Among those in the Navy mention should be made of 
Commodore Wm. W. McKean, and Commodore J. R. 
Sands ; also, Engineers Levi Safford, William B. Brooks, 
and Edward D. Robie, who rendered faithful service in 
their honorable and responsible positions. 

Nor would it be proper to omit the name of Lieutenant 
Clover nor Robinson ; and perhaps no more just or faith* 



306 Appendix. 

ful mention could be made of him than by the quotation 
of the following tribute, taken from the American Con- 
flict, by Horace Greeley, (2 vol., page 764.) 

" While the outbreak and early stages of the Rebellion were 
signalized by conspicuous exhibitions, not only of the blackest 
treachery, but of amazing imbecility on the part of certain officers 
then serving in our Army or Navy, these were relieved by instan- 
ces of heroic devotion to the Union and its Flag, which were the 
more admirable because passive, and thus unnoted and unknown. 
Among these may be reckoned the preservation to the Union of 
Fort McHenry, at Baltimore, by Capt. (since Maj.-Gen.) John C. 
Robinson, 5th Infantry, who, with a handful of men, held that 
important position during the four weeks which separated the 
bloody triumph of the Rebel mob in the slaughter of the Massa- 
chusetts men, (April 19th, 1861,) from the bloodless recovery of 
Baltimore by Gen. Butler, May 13th. Had the Fort, with its arms 
and munitions, been given up by its defenders, its repossession, 
with that of Baltimore, could only have been secured by a lavish 
outlay 'of effort and of blood on the part of the Union." 

The list of soldiers from Broome County, as published 
in these Annals, is not complete; it is possible that a 
complete list can never be obtained. The publication 
of the Annals was designed to be completed in 1872. A 
great part of the delay in their publication has been had 
in order that this list of soldiers might be complete, 
or nearly so. Friends of soldiers have been re- 
quested to send in the names of such volunteers as en- 
listed in the Regiments of other States, or in Regiments 
not known to have been raised in this vicinity. Scarcely 
a response has been received. And the above incom- 
plete and imperfect list is given, in the hope that the 
absence of names and information may show to our citi- 
zens how much, and how rapidly, they are losing the 
record of the names and . services of the noble men who 
went out from among them to put down the Great Re- 
bellion. 

A special work should be devoted to procuring and 



Appendix. 307 

preserving the names of all the soldiers from this County, 
with a brief record of their service. This ought to be 
done promptly, and in every County. The time hastens 
to meet the people when they will long to recall those 
names and their records. 

In the foregoing lists some names will appear more 
than once. This is caused, generally, by the soldiers 
serving under more than one enlistment. 

No description of the service or promotion of any of 
the soldiers is given, as the time to procure the history, 
or the space to publish it in this work, could not well 
be given. 



By reason of the delay in publishing the Annals, a few 
references to events in 1873 will be found ; but in the 
main the record is only intended to come down to 1872. 

It may be well to insert here the date when Bingham- 
ton became incorporated as a City, which was by act of 
the Legislature passed April 9th, 1867. By an Act passed 
the 25th of the same month, provision was made for 
supplying the City with water, under which the present 
system of Water Works was constructed. 



FINIS. 



IN-ID-EXi. 



PAGE: 

Abbott, Coi. j. s ..,,.;...,.: ;; tl i 68 

Academy, Binghamton 2J3 

Animals, Wild 63 

Antonio, Abram 56, 57 

Squire ,43, 110 

Association, Y. M. C. A 239 

Banks 187, 188, 256 

Baker, John ..■.-. .,-... 128 

Bingham, Wm ,,,,, ...,..,.,..• , '.. ... 11, 12 

44 Patent 78 

Binghamton, from whom named 11 

" called Chenango Point. 71 

" 141 

first house in.. 72, 139 

" " death in 75 

•' settlement 139 

old site 140 

" first bridge in .'. . 155 

" great fire in 179 

business in, in 1839 and 1840 203 

commercial facilities, 1839 and 1840 209 

" causes influencing growth 212 

" Commercial College 242 

Water Cure ........ ... . 242 

" incorporated as City 307 

Water Works. 307 

Birdsall, Ausburn - 175 

Boston Purchase 39 

Boyd, Lieut. Wm. and party massacred 30 

Brant, Capt 25,35,111,116 

Bridges in Binghamton 155, 185, 186 

Brink, Capt. Wm 79 

Bronson, David 147, 155 

Brooks. Dr. P. B 177 

Broome County, from whom named 11 

" " boundaries of 15 

'• "- organization of , 153, 181 

first officers in 181,182, 183 

" '•' geological formation. 8, 191 

Clerk's Office 2%2 

■' " records, where kept 71 

in War of the Rebellion W) 

Buck, Capt. Daniel 108, 110, 111, 125 

Camp, Asa 88 

Canals, 11, 187 

Castle Farm 41 

Catlin, Putnam 113, 123 

k ' George, the painter '. . 113 

Chambers, Moses 80 

Chamberlain, Judge Wm — ... ... 74 



310 Index. 

PAGE. 

Chemung, meaning of 106 

" River, first settlement on 95, 103 

Chenango, meaning of 7, 43 

Forks, first settlement at 125 

Churches in Binghamton... 192, 245, 256 

Cole, Nathaniel 123 

Colesville, first settlement of. 123 

Collier, John A 155 

" Hamilton 172 

Courts, first held in County 47, 71 

Court Houses 145, 221 

Deer Hunting 63 

Deposit, called the " Cook House " 110 

Dickinson, Daniel S 174, 187 

John It 175 

Don hleday, Dr. Ammi 165 

JohnT 167 

Doolittle, John 117 

Draper, Amos 37 

Draft. 288 

Edwards, President 116 

" Jasper 122 

Edward. 131 

Eldridge, Christopher 155 

Thomas 87 

Elmira, first called De Wittsburg 103 

" settlement of 103 

" afterwards called Newtown 27, 103 

" visited by Louis Phillipe 104 

Elms, Twin, story of 257 

Ely, Dr. Elihu 151 

" Col. Oliver ,... 159 

Esther, Queen 46, 96 

Evans, Horatio and Alfred 176 

Fire Companies, first in Binghamton 190, 191 

Firemen's Hall 223 

Gaines, Mrs. Myra Clark 175 

Gas Company . .... 239 

Great Bend, first settlement of 108 

Greene, " " "...,.. 133 

Hall, Samuel H. P 177 

Hand. Dr. S. D 176 

Harpur, Robt., Secretary .....118, 122 

Hawley. Maj. Martin . ... 170 

Horse Heads, origin of name 34 

Hotels... ,,.. 210 

Hotchkiss, David ; 117 

House of the Good Shepherd , 255 

Hunters, anecdotes of . . , 65, 79 

Indians, battles with ....24, 25, 26 

" dressand habits , 42,. 110 

" kind treatment by 53 

" treaty of, at Elmira 103 

" tribe of, near Deposit... '. HO 

" revisit Great Bend ......;., 113 

" at Ouaquaga ... 114, 124 

" apple trees , 119 



Index. 311 

PAGE. 

Indians, adventures with.. .. ...96,119. 128 

" mound, at Greene 137 

'■* vestiges of, at Binghamton 139, 176 

" Chiefs revisit " 164 

Inebriate Asylum 223 

Iroquois 116 

Jail 222 

Jericho '. 117 

LaGrange, John . . . . 84 

Leonard, Capt. Joseph 36, 216, 257 

Le Roy, Daniel '. 144 

Le Roy Place 150 

Lewis, Marshall 162 

Lisle, first settlement of . . . 126 

"Log Cabin".... 213 

Loomis, Benjamin N 176 

McKinney, Judge Jacob 141 

Mails, how carried 180 

Mather, Richard 168, 173 

Manning, Maj. David 131 

Mersereau, Judge Joshua 81 

John 81 

Mills, Maj. P 176 

Monell, Judge Robt 154 

Moore, Solomon 44 

Morgan, Maj. Augustus 164 

Newspapers. 141, 183, 215, 236 

Newtown 27. 71, 103 

Ouaquaga, first settlement 114, 122 

Otselic, ,k " 127 

Owego, »* " 89 

Page, Gen. Julius. 168 

Parks, George 46, 152, 161 

Patents 78, 117, 127, 157 

Patterson, Amos 81 

Post Office 179 

Pumpkin Flood 120 

Pratt, Zenas 145, 153 

Religious Societies and services, first 69 

Revolutionary War, connection with 17 

Roads, principal, at first settlement 11, 188 

Richards, Henry 79, 123 

Robinson, Dr. Tracy 160 

Gen. J. C....„ 305 

Peter 169 

Railroads 216, 231—236 

Salt, procured by Indians — 84 

Sawtelle, Benj 154 

St. John, Lewis 162 

Schools, first. 70 

" public 214, 241 

" private 239, 241 

Settlers, early privations of 50, 92 

Seymour, Daniel... 87 



312 Index, 

PAGE. 

Seymour, Samuel , 87, 174 

" Judge William 151 

" Lewis , 174 

Shad 61 

Soldiers in War of Rebellion ' 260 

Southport, first settlement of ..... 91 

Smithboro, first settlement of. , 105 

Spring Forest Cemetery ....... 244 

Stages and Stage routes 11, 188, 189 

Stoddard, Gen. Oringh 40, 79 

Judge James 130 

Stow, Josiah 119 

Samuel 120 

Stuart, Judge William 145 

Sullivan's Expedition 19 

Susquehanna, meaning of the word 7 

'•' River, settlements along ,. , 107 

great freshets in , 88,120,176 

Valley Home, , 242 

Talleyrand visits Greene 135 

u passes through Bingharnton 135 

Tioga County, set off , 71 

" Point, first settled .,..., 93 

Tioughnioga, first settlement 126 

Title of lands, difficulties about 72 

Tompkins, Gilbert 171 

Town meetings, first 71 

Union, first settlement : 78 

" laid out 87 



Village of Binghamton, scenery about. ,.*...' 7 

" location of , 11 

streets in.... 13,142 

*■ !i description of 13, 14, 15 

'► ^ first settlement 36,44,139,142 

*' '.'. routes to, from east 49 

first laid out 142 

" " incorporated 189 

Wardsin 189 

Waterman, Gen. Thomas G 164 

Weed, Stephen 167 

Weeks, Phillip 123 

Wellsburg, first settlement of : 126 

Wentz, Wm 176 

Weston, Wm. 20 

White Bridge 24 

Whiting, Mason 147 

Whitney, Joshua 38, 61 

" Gen. Joshua 38 

Whitney's Point, first settlement .... 126 

Wyoming, massacre at. 18, 93, 96, 123 



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